Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate closely with Thailand to clarify the incident in which a group of Vietnamese nationals died in a Bangkok hotel a day earlier.

Thai police at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Source: Thaiger

In a directive issued on July 17, The Prime Minister also called for measures to protect Vietnamese citizens' legitimate rights and interests, actively handle or seek instructions on any matter related to diplomatic relations with Thailand, and provide timely information to the media and the public.

The Ministry of Public Security is requested to cooperate in investigating and providing any details requested by the Thai side and information on the victims' relatives to facilitate citizen protection efforts.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand is tasked with closely monitoring and reporting on the progress of the investigation and local public sentiment, as well as providing consolation, support, and funeral guidance to the victims' families.

On July 16, six bodies, including four Vietnamese and two Vietnamese-Americans, were reported to Thai police in room 502 of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok. After conducting autopsies and examining the crime scene, Thai authorities concluded that the victims died of cyanide poisoning.

Police said the suspect who poisoned and killed this group is 56-year-old Sherine Chong, a Vietnamese-American national. Major General Trirong Phiwpaen of the Thai police stated that the suspect had laced tea the group was drinking with cyanide, resulting in the deaths of all six.

Deputy Bangkok Police Chief Noppasin Poolsawat said that the incident stemmed from a business dispute between Sherine Chong and Dang Hung Van, a 55-year-old Vietnamese-American, and his spouse, both businesspeople among the victims.

The couple had reportedly lent Chong approximately $278,000 for investment in a hospital project in Japan. However, the project stalled, and the couple suspected Chong of attempting to defraud them, prompting them to file a lawsuit against her.

They were due to appear in court in Japan in the coming weeks. While awaiting the court date, Chong arranged to meet with the couple for negotiations. Originally scheduled to take place in Japan, the meeting was moved to Bangkok, where the poisoning incident occurred, due to visa issues.