Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkaew, has expressed his condolences to the family of Bowornthat Pengsuk, also known as Hlun Solo, a travel YouTuber, following the unexpected death of their son. Thai officials have been dispatched to Georgia to await confirmation of the cause of death and prepare for the repatriation of the body to Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, which oversees Georgia, have sent officials to Tbilisi to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hlun's death. The officials are awaiting an official report from the Georgian authorities before making further statements. Mr. Sihasak emphasized that the repatriation of Hlun's body will be handled as per the family's wishes once the investigation concludes.
Addressing concerns over the delays due to Hlun being missing for over two weeks, Mr. Sihasak stated that immediate action was taken by Georgian authorities and the embassy upon learning of his disappearance. Hlun was found deceased in a hotel, as reported in the news.
When questioned about Thailand's involvement in the investigation, Mr. Sihasak noted that Thai officials are on standby but stressed the necessity of waiting for the Georgian authorities to complete their investigation. He mentioned that it is premature to determine whether the death was due to assault or self-infliction until the results are officially released.
Mr. Sihasak urged travelers to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for safety updates when visiting potentially risky areas and to coordinate with relevant embassies if issues arise. He highlighted that while Thailand does not have embassies in every country, the embassy in Turkey is responsible for matters concerning Georgia, and officials responded swiftly to the situation.