Thailand Video News: Six Vietnamese Nationals Found Dead in Bangkok Hotel

[Video News]

 

 

The transcription below includes the news stories covered in the Good Morning Thailand program, hosted by Alex. These stories span Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, covering six Vietnamese nationals found dead in a luxury Bangkok hotel, the spread of African Swine Fever in Vietnam and more.

 

1. Six Vietnamese Nationals Found Dead in Bangkok Hotel: Six Vietnamese nationals were found dead in a Bangkok luxury hotel after allegedly drinking poisoned tea and coffee. Discovered in a sixth-floor room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, the victims were scheduled to check out that day. Police dismissed initial reports of a shooting and found no signs of struggle. The deceased, including two with American citizenship, were identified as Sherine Chong, Hung Dang Van, Thi Nguyen Phuong Lan, Hong Pham Thanh, Dinh Tran Phu, and Thi Nguyen Phuong. Authorities suspect poisoning and are investigating potential motives, including business or personal conflicts or a cult-related sacrifice.

 

2. Man Kills Wife in Drunken Rage Over Hygiene Dispute: In Roi Et, Watcharin, 53, killed his wife Praitun, 44, in a drunken rage after she hadn’t bathed. The incident occurred on July 14 when Watcharin struck her with a wooden stick. Initially claiming she slipped in the bathroom, he later confessed to the assault. Police detained Watcharin and are gathering evidence for prosecution.

 

3. Bangkok Governor Investigates Mass Fish Deaths: Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt inspected Bueng Makkasan in Ratchathewi district following a mass fish death incident affecting primarily Nile tilapia and some blackchin tilapia. The deaths likely resulted from oxygen depletion due to lowered water levels for rainwater preparations. Maintenance of water treatment equipment had reduced oxygen levels, which have since been restored. Further investigation into water quality and fish spread is ongoing.

 

4. Kindergarten Finance Officer Arrested for Embezzling 2.8 Million Baht: A former kindergarten finance officer in Nakhon Sawan was arrested for embezzling over 2.8 million baht from a bilingual program. Managing registration fees between 2012 and 2015, the suspect allegedly diverted funds for personal use. After a Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission investigation, an arrest warrant was issued in September 2023. The suspect was apprehended in Chiang Mai and taken to the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Region 6.

 

5. Foreign Nationals Arrested for Violent Robbery in Bangkok: Four nationals—three British and one Danish—were arrested in Thailand for violently robbing a British cryptocurrency trader. The trader was tied up, beaten, and forced to contact his girlfriend to collect valuables, resulting in a theft of about 3 million baht. The suspects, identified as Mohamed, Saeed, Sumya (all British), and Abdullah (Danish), deny the charges. Police tracked the suspects to Pattaya using a hotel registration system, and another suspect was caught at Bangkok's airport. A fifth suspect is wanted but has left Thailand.

 

6. Thailand to Implement $13.8 Billion Digital Wallet Program: Thailand will start registration in August for a $13.8 billion Digital Wallet program, providing 10,000 baht in digital money to 50 million citizens. Announced in April, the scheme aims to boost the economy but faces criticism for its sustainability. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expects the stimulus to increase GDP growth by 1.2 to 1.6 percentage points. Funding will come from the 2024-2025 budgets. The program excludes fraudsters and certain goods, with details to be finalized. The government pushes forward amidst a sluggish economy.

 

7. Suspect in Killings of Australians and Filipinos in the Philippines Surrenders: A suspect in the killings of two Australians and their Filipina companion at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, Philippines, has surrendered. The victims, found tied up and dead in a hotel room, were identified via security camera footage. The suspect, a former hotel employee fired as a pool cleaner, confessed to robbing and killing the victims. Criminal complaints of robbery and murder will be filed. The women will be buried in the Philippines, while the Australian man’s body was flown to Sydney.

 

8. African Swine Fever Spreading in Vietnam: African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks are spreading in Vietnam, threatening food supplies and inflation. Vietnam has culled 42,400 infected pigs this year, nearly five times more than last year, with 660 outbreaks detected nationwide. The government has ordered provinces to prioritize vaccination funds. Vietnam approved the first commercial ASF vaccines last year, though further testing was recommended. Rising pork prices due to ASF contributed to a higher consumer price index in June, with food prices up 3.23% from the previous year.