A couple of days ago I wrote about how a bizarre tragedy happened at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. I wanted to provide an update, as police in Bangkok have released more details about what happened. This sounds like something straight out of a movie…
In this post:
What we know about the Grand Hyatt Bangkok tragedy
At around 5:30PM local time on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, staff at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok called the police to report that six people had been found dead in one of the hotel’s accommodations. Specifically, they were found in spa cottage #502, which is one of the resort-style suites that the hotel has, right by the pool, on the fifth floor.
They were all foreigners of Vietnamese origin, with two being from the United States. There were three men and three women, ranging in age from 37 to 56. My thoughts are with their families — how incredibly sad.
Police believe that the deceased had been dead for around 24 hours, meaning that the crime happened Monday evening. There were no signs of a struggle, and tea and coffee cups were found to have been used. Security camera footage shows several of them entering the room with their luggage on Monday afternoon, and it’s believed that this tragedy happened shortly thereafter.
Thailand’s Prime Minister visited the scene the same day this happened. You wouldn’t necessarily assume that’s something a country’s political leader would do, but obviously Thailand is heavily reliant on tourism, and he probably wants to create the impression that the country will do everything it can to investigate.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Grand-Hyatt-Bangkok-Spa-Cottage.jpg)
Police suspect the deceased were poisoned
Police have made quite some progress with their investigation, and have released details of what they suspect happened. Specifically, this seems to be a murder-suicide by poisoning, involving the repayment of debt.
A cyanide-like substance, which is extremely lethal, was found in the room. Specifically, it was in a drink that looked like black coffee, in two flasks. The first two autopsies that have been performed also revealed the presence of this.
Investigators cited testimony from the daughter of one of the deceased, who said that her parents traveled to Thailand to negotiate debts worth several million Thai Baht (one USD is worth around 36 THB, for what it’s worth). Authorities suspect that the failure of the negotiation led to the poisoning.
Among the deceased were borrowers, lenders, and guarantors. The belief is that one of the six people first poisoned the five other people, before committing suicide. Specifically, the 56-year-old American-Vietnamese woman is believed to be the one responsible for the poisoning.
Hotel security camera footage shows the deceased all gathering in one room, ordering food, and receiving the order. The crime is believed to have happened shortly thereafter.
Interestingly the room immediately next to the one where this happened had been booked by a seventh Vietnamese person, who police believe is the younger sister of one of the six people found dead. She reportedly left the country on July 10, nearly a week before this happened, and isn’t believed to be involved.
Even as details emerge, there are more questions than answers. For example, the spa cottage can’t accommodate six people overnight, yet several people showed up with a lot of luggage on Monday afternoon, so what exactly was the expectation there?
Furthermore, it seems one of the rooms may have been booked for a long time, if the sister of one of the people had left the country on July 10, and was booked in the room next door.
Also, did these five people really voluntarily drink coffee out of these flasks? How exactly did that go down? So they’re negotiating debts, it doesn’t go so well, and then the lady is like “here, have this coffee I prepared for you all?” I’ve seen enough Forensic Files episodes to know better…
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Grand-Hyatt-Bangkok-Flasks.jpeg)
I’m not meaning to question that narrative, though I’d point out that Thailand of course has a major incentive to solve this case quickly, so it doesn’t impact tourism.
This could have implications for the hotel
While the tragedy here is of course the loss of life, this is a blog about travel, so I also wanted to briefly touch on the hotel implications. If you’re planning on staying at the Grand Hyatt Bangkok in the near future, I’d expect that for the next few days there may be a lot going on around the hotel, in terms of police, media presence, etc.
However, even once the investigation is concluded, it could still have a longer lasting impact on the hotel. These kinds of events get a lot of media attention, and of course it’s not great for a hotel’s reputation, even if the hotel had no fault at all (which seems to be the case). While many people and companies believe in the “any publicity is good publicity” mantra, the same doesn’t really apply to hotels.
Furthermore, in some situations we see rooms repurposed if a major crime happened in them, especially if it was high profile. After all, most people don’t want to stay in a room where they know something bad happened.
In this case it was even one of the hotel’s signature, specialty accommodations where this occurred, which will make it all the trickier. This wasn’t just some random room down a hallway, with 100 other rooms.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Grand-Hyatt-Bangkok-3.jpg)
Bottom line
While deaths happen at hotels quite frequently, six people being found dead in a hotel suite is incredibly rare. That’s exactly what happened at the Grand Hyatt Bangkok, though, which is incredibly sad. The police believe this was claiming that this was a murder-suicide. Six people reportedly met to negotiate some debts, but it didn’t work out so well.
So one of the people poisoned the other five people, and then took her own life by the same method. There must have been quite an anger and revenge motive here, or else this seems like a very strange method for settling a disagreement. After all, she didn’t just take her own life, but also the lives of five others.
What do you make of this Grand Hyatt Bangkok tragedy?
Vietnamese? Hahaha
Great article! I hope u write a follow up
In regards to bad publicity for the hotel--in 2015 there was a bombing right in front of the hotel that killed 20 people at the Erawan shrine. That was pretty bad publicity, but people seem to forget that.
Had absolutely nothing to do with the hotel.
Sooooo...I just left the place today after 9 nights in BKK split between the SGS and the GH. What's crazy is that I didn't even learn about this until WEDNESDAY/yesterday. The hotel said nada and the fact that the PM came and went just blew my mind, and many others' I spoke to yesterday evening. All week, too, the Shrine was packed, like it always is...just still shocked this went down when I was there!!!!
Gambling debt. 100%
"... one of the six people first poised the five other people..."
Poisoned, I presume.
@ Lukas -- Indeed, thank you! Fixed.
It looks like they've zeroed out inventory of the pool-side suites until at least the end of the month. I believe they have 6 of these in total.
The White Lotus - now based on a true story..
We have been in this hotel before and during what has happened. Still we are in the hotel . All is super and the service and the people all the same as the last 10 years . No worries . We sleep good . Food terrible good in the restaurants. Carpe diem
One of Ben's questions is how there could be 6 guests in one room. The guests occupied several rooms but came together in one room for the fatal room service dinner.
I am going to stay there end of Jan. Wish me luck!
For those interested in what is being reported here:
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2830846/murder-suicide-suspected-in-thai-hotel-poison-deaths
Currently staying at GH Erawan. I came back yesterday to find a lot of police and a bunch of uniform people. Other than that, everything looks normal.
I think by now most people have forgotten about the shooting in Las Vegas which is why most people won't even remember the hotel involved let alone the floor the shooter was on. So in time this hyatt will just shrug it off as well.
Even if the hotel is rebranded it will be tough for getting business
I disagree…It wasn’t the Hotel’s fault.
The hotel will neither be rebranded nor suffer a loss of business. Literally, nobody cares aside from this room probably not being able to be used again. Or maybe they bring in some monks for a cleansing ceremony.
Very sad indeed. My ex tried to poison me in Hong Kong, she did it ever so slowly trying not to get caught like the American Banker's wife killed him. You may remember the Nancy Kressel story.
Thanks to God I escaped.
However, you mention the Erwan Shrine of 4 Faced Buddha. Respect all others religions and beliefs. This is a very spiritual holy place of worship. Just ask any Chinese from Hong Kong or Taiwan.
The essence is "He sees All".
I want to stay in that suite but I will demand a discount! And with a clause that says if I die while staying I will not be charged!
Does a points redeeming customer who dies in the hotel get his points back? For the family to use later....
The Garden Villas are very nice. Extremely private, nice setup and amenities. The highlight is the massage room with a full massage table.
Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but how do you poison six people simultaneously and not have the last person freaking out running from the room? My friends just fell down so I’ll stay in this chair just doesn’t seem accurate unless the poison is instantaneous and affects people immediately. Never...
The Garden Villas are very nice. Extremely private, nice setup and amenities. The highlight is the massage room with a full massage table.
Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but how do you poison six people simultaneously and not have the last person freaking out running from the room? My friends just fell down so I’ll stay in this chair just doesn’t seem accurate unless the poison is instantaneous and affects people immediately. Never mind having everyone drink at the same time.
Even if the drug made everyone sleepy (then killed them) the delay aspect would still come into play.
So many questions.
Exactly the question I was asking... I think it is a legitimate consideration and not a conspiracy theory. Even if the drink was poured out in the cups ahead of time, how would you be sure each person would want and take the drink, and all of them put it to their lips at the exact same time..it would have taken just one reaction to stop the others and raise an alarm.
This is my favorite hotel, not only in Bangkok, but anywhere, because the staff is always so gracious. Even when I got Covid while staying there, they were amazing.
This is very sad. But the hotel site does have an eerie history of happenings, which is why the Erawan Shrine was built there to ward off bad things. For details, see the Wikipedia entry for the Erawan Shrine.
Thanks for the info, that wiki link made for a fascinating read.
I'm a criminal defense lawyer. I would put the odds that the victims here knew and had some sort of personal beef with whoever poisoned them at well over 99%. Or it was sort a mass suicide. Or it was a big murder-suicide, with one of the dead serving everyone the poison tea and then drinking it himself.
The one thing this almost certainly wasn't was a random, untargeted crime. The general public (understandably)...
I'm a criminal defense lawyer. I would put the odds that the victims here knew and had some sort of personal beef with whoever poisoned them at well over 99%. Or it was sort a mass suicide. Or it was a big murder-suicide, with one of the dead serving everyone the poison tea and then drinking it himself.
The one thing this almost certainly wasn't was a random, untargeted crime. The general public (understandably) is very fixated on violent crimes against randomly targeted victims because that's what we all fear. The reality is that violent crime victims (especially those murdered by poisoning!) overwhelmingly know and usually have some preexisting beef with the perpetrator. Luckily for most people, random innocent victim cases are not that common.
So I say take advantage of the great deals coming at this property because the odds of this happening to you there are pretty much zero.
Idk about "almost certainly wasn't was a random, untargeted crime." Ben has posted extensively about other hotels where carbon monoxide poisoning killed/could have killed guests. If I was a betting man, I'd put my money on that being the reason, especially given the proximity to the pool as Antwerp said
When considering poisoning, my first thought goes to insecticide agent. These are neurotoxins. This could have been a criminal act, an accident or a mistake, using the wrong powder instead of sugar.
I am not familiar with the area but climate and ground level cottage invite insects.
you've clearly not been to the hotel. the cabana is on the literally other side of the pool. They don't even share the same entrance.
How are you a lawyer and claim murder suicide and not mention the lack of a suicide note which is found at almost all suicides.
My first reaction, given its position by the pool, was that it sounds eerily like many Carbon Monoxide incidents at hotels. They often involve hot tubs, pools or similar. The one in Mexico heavily talked about here and in other blogs is but one example.
My first reaction is you are an idiot and don't know where the buildings are in relation to the pool area.
My first reaction is to beg you to seek help for your anger management problems. The post clearly stated it was in a bungalow that is located in the pool area.
they even have separate entrances they are so far apart from one another. Yet again, maybe do some research before knee jerk nonsensical posts.
No need to repurpose the room, I'll gladly pay a discounted rate to stay in a suite with 6 spooky ghosts
A very tragic situation, my condolences to the families.
I must say that, having stayed at the Grand Hyatt a few times in Bangkok, it is a nice place to stay and this news shouldn't mean a rethinking of any future booking there. Plus, it’s very centrally located and their breakfast is great!
Their breakfast is absolutely awesome! But I think they've declined in recent years. The rooms are not as fresh as they used to be, and reception can be indifferent. Also, the water in the pool is freezing cold. And prices are soaring.
Last time, I stayed elsewhere but went to the Erawan for breakfast only...
The Hyatt Regency Sukhumvit is newer, nicer, and has excellent service. Two train stops away from Erawan.
Hi I am staying at the hotel today.
Spa cottages are on the 5th floor on the other side of the swimming pool.
The pool is shut down now with no access.
Hotel lobby has been a hive of activity lots of press and a visit from the prime minister.
Apprently they locked themselves in the room and 4 people were found on dinning table and another 2 in bedroom. 6 glasses found in the...
Hi I am staying at the hotel today.
Spa cottages are on the 5th floor on the other side of the swimming pool.
The pool is shut down now with no access.
Hotel lobby has been a hive of activity lots of press and a visit from the prime minister.
Apprently they locked themselves in the room and 4 people were found on dinning table and another 2 in bedroom. 6 glasses found in the room.
Staff are devestated and the staff are all old and loyal, providing top Asian service.
I believe of what I see that it was either self inflected or something to do with 7th person still missing apparently tour guide ?
Maybe something like this? The authorities never made it clear what it was...
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.2977667
This is crazy. I previously had a booking here a while back as a transit for a one night stay, but I decided to do an airport hotel instead bc of how long it would've taken and I'm glad I decided to do that.
Just a quick note, they were not found dead in a suite, but in one of the Spa cottages, which are situated around the pool area.
A friend of mine is staying at the Grand Hyatt at the moment and said, that the hotel is doing a good job in keeping every running and professional. Just a couple of police staff in the lobby. He wouldn't know something happened, if I didn't ask him.
@ David Mittag -- Thanks, I updated the post to reflect that they were in a spa cottage (which I believe is a kind of suite accommodation, but might as well be more precise). :-)
@Ben the official name of the rooms are the "Garden Villas" (King or Twin), and are sold under this name on the hotel's/Hyatt's official website. I've had the pleasure to get upgraded to one of them earlier this year as a Globalist.
I walked by this hotel five times last week.
I'm so glad I'm safe and that I wasn't killed!
You are being a little dramatic.
So you walked past no less than five times and count yourself lucky to be alive because some folks unconnected to you died ..
Did you have to finely cultivate your idiocy, or are you a natural born idiot?
"So you walked past no less than five times and count yourself lucky to be alive because some folks unconnected to you died ..
Did you have to finely cultivate your idiocy, or are you a natural born idiot?"
Good grief you're thick.
wow, fascinating, I am so glad you shared your story because now I'll sleep better at night knowing what a fast paced and exciting world we live in. I hope everyone who has been to Bangkok also chimes in to tell us, because we need to know this information, it's vital we hear from everyone.
Based on the videos, it looks like it was in one of their unique free standing villas on the pool level. I've always thought the villas looked so cool because it feels like you're in a garden in the middle of Bangkok.