Police suspect a 56-year-old Vietnamese-American woman, Sherine Chong, of using a deadly combination of cyanide and tea to poison five compatriots during a meeting at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok aimed at resolving a financial dispute.
Pol Maj Gen Nopasilp Poonsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, reported that Chong had been waiting alone in room 502 when the other five arrived on Monday. She had ordered food and tea from room service but declined the attendant’s offer to prepare the tea, insisting she would do it herself.
Security footage confirmed the arrival of the five Vietnamese with their luggage, and after 2:17 PM on Monday, none of them exited the room. Their bodies were discovered by a maid on Tuesday evening, with Chong among them.
According to Pol Maj Gen Nopasilp, Chong had invited the group to invest in construction projects, including a couple who had reportedly invested around 10 million baht in a hospital project in Japan. After facing delays, they sought legal recourse, prompting the six to meet for negotiations. Originally intended for Japan, the meeting was relocated to Bangkok due to visa issues.
While they checked into the hotel at different times and occupied separate rooms, Chong kept room 502 available for their discussions. She ordered food and tea for the group and invited them back after their earlier checkout.
