Police Investigate Murder-Suicide Plot Amid Business Dispute, with FBI Assistance

Six people were found dead in a luxury hotel in Bangkok after consuming cyanide-laced tea, which Thai authorities believe was part of a murder-suicide plot. The victims, a mix of Vietnamese nationals and U.S. citizens, were discovered in their hotel room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan on Tuesday, a day after the poisoning incident.

Police investigations point to one individual in the group as the likely perpetrator, who may have poisoned the others before taking their own life. The tea, which had been served to the group, was found to contain traces of cyanide, a deadly chemical that interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen. The group had ordered food and tea to their room, but it was the tea that was tainted.

Authorities suspect the motive for the killings could be tied to a business dispute involving a large loan between some members of the group and a potential hospital construction project in Japan. FBI officials are assisting with the investigation, given that two of the victims were American citizens.

This tragic incident follows other high-profile cyanide poisoning cases in Thailand, highlighting concerns over the use of this poison in targeted killings. Authorities are continuing their search for additional information to understand the full scope of the situation.