Six persons including an American national of Vietnamese descent were found dead at an upmarket hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday.
The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin who visited the spot, ordered a swift investigation to stem any damage to the tourism sector.
The Thai police said in a separate statement that the six people were all foreign nationals.
The incident, which took place at Bangkok’s plush Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel, comes as Thailand looks to further promote its tourism sector, a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second largest economy.
“The Prime Minister has ordered all agencies to urgently take action to avoid impact on tourism,” the Thai government said in its statement.
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed earlier reports in Thai media that the six people had been killed in a shooting.
“There is no sign of a shooting,” the official told Reuters, adding that there were Vietnamese nationals among the dead. The official did not elaborate further.
The U.S. and Vietnamese embassies in Bangkok did not respond to calls from Reuters.
Police officers found the bodies of six foreign nationals at the Grand Hyatt Erawan after receiving a call from the hotel’s staff at around 5.30 pm reporting that there had been deaths, the Thai police said in its statement.
Police and medical services could not immediately be reached for further comment.
TOURIST DISTRICT
The Grand Hyatt Erawan, which has over 350 rooms and is located in a popular tourist district known for luxury shopping and restaurants, did not immediately respond to calls or an email seeking comment.
More than 28 million foreign tourists visited Thailand last year, spending 1.2 trillion baht ($33.71 billion) in the country.
The government expects 35 million foreign arrivals this year, on the back of longer visa stay periods and waivers for several nationalities.
In Ocrober last year, the tourism sector was shaken by a shooting spree at a luxury shopping mall, near the Hyatt, in which two foreigners were killed.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
Delhi based journalist pickled in journalism. Have reported from nine world capitals and almost all parts of India. Over the last three decades, I have worked for India’s mainstream English dailies and contributed to All India Radio, Doordarshan and Women’s Feature Service. Also worked for international media including Japan’s leading newspaper, The Asahi Shimbun and done assignments for The Sunday Times, London, The Telegraph, The Guardian and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Worked in the Embassy of France in New Delhi and can speak French to save my life. Write on Diplomacy, Politics and the social sector. Love Nature, heritage, Nature, animals and vintage cars. Enjoy cycling and playing badminton.
