BANGKOK, THAILAND – The family of travel vlogger Bowornthat Pengsuk has signed a power of attorney to bring his body home from Georgia. The Thai foreign ministry confirmed the move Friday.
Papers are expected to arrive in Bangkok on Monday, August 3. The exact cause of death is still under investigation.
Power of attorney on its way to Bangkok
Relatives of the vlogger, known as Hlun Solo, filled out the document at a district office. It is now on its way to the consular department and due early next week.
Once we receive the document, the department will certify the translation and forward it to the embassy. Then a death certificate will be issued and the repatriation of the body and personal belongings to Thailand will be coordinated.
said Mangkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general.
Repatriation logistics already under way
The Thai embassy in Ankara, which also covers Georgia, has hired a logistics firm for transport. But Georgian authorities must first issue a local death certificate – only then can the Thai counterpart follow.
A Thai delegation met with Georgian police and the foreign ministry in Tbilisi. The ambassador in Ankara held director-general-level talks with Georgian counterparts.
Circumstances of death still unclear
Hotel staff found the 33-year-old’s body on the afternoon of July 14, after he failed to check out as planned. Georgian prosecutors are investigating the official cause of death.
Mangkorn stressed that responsibility lies solely with local authorities.
The incident occurred in their country, so it falls under their jurisdiction to verify all facts.
said Mangkorn.
Ten-day gap before diplomatic notification
Georgian officials only informed the embassy in Ankara on July 28 – the ministry gave both July 28 and July 29 at a press conference. That means at least ten days passed between finding the body and the diplomatic alert.
The Thai embassy has raised the delay directly with Georgian partners and expects an explanation. Spokesman Jaithai Upakarnitikaset said no notification from the family reached the embassy before the end of July – reports of an alert on July 19 are incorrect.
Condolences and open-ended timeline
The foreign ministry offered deep condolences to the family. Thailand’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister also plans to meet the relatives in person as soon as possible.
When Bowornthat Pengsuk’s body can be flown back to Thailand depends on how quickly Georgian authorities release the local death certificate. No concrete date has been set.