DA NANG, Vietnam: A woman suspected of fatally poisoning several Vietnamese nationals and killing herself in Bangkok was a “special client” of one of the victims, forking out thousands of dollars for him to travel and provide makeup services for her, his mother and friend told CNA.
They said Tran Dinh Phu, 37, was paid about US$5,000 for each trip by Sherine Chong, who presented herself as the wife of a billionaire from Dubai.
Phu and Chong were among six Vietnamese nationals who are presumed to have died after ingesting cyanide from teacups in a suite at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel.
They were found by housekeepers in the room under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday (Jul 16) afternoon. Thai police released their images and identities the following day.
Police have concluded it was likely a murder-suicide case, with Chong, 56, believed to have carried out the crime.
According to the Thai daily Kaosod English, citing sources, she had persuaded a couple in the group to invest in building a hospital in Japan.
However, they ended up losing 10 million baht (US$278,000). The conflicting parties then apparently agreed to meet in Bangkok to settle things.
Two of the deceased – Dang Hung Van, 55, and Chong – held dual United States citizenship.
Apart from Phu, the three others were Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan, 47, Pham Hong Thanh, 49, and Nguyen Thi Phuong, 46.
Some of their families have flown to Bangkok and are working with the police to bring the bodies home.
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