The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it received notification of finding Hlun Solo's body on 29 Jul and urged Georgia to explain why the death was reported over 10 days late, anticipating a wait for the death certificate issuance before repatriating the body to Thailand.
At 14:45 on 31 Jul 2026, Ms. Jaitai Upakarnitikaset, Director-General of the Public Relations Department and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Mr. Mangkon Prathumkaew, Director-General of the Consular Department, held a press conference regarding the death of Mr. Bowornthat Pengsuk, also known as Hlun Solo, a Thai travel YouTuber in Georgia.
Mr. Mangkon expressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew plans to find an opportunity to speak again with the family. The Ministry thanks the Thai network at the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara for their early contact when concerns first arose about the loss of communication.
Currently, the deceased's relatives have arranged a power of attorney document at the local district office and are sending it to the Consular Department, expected to arrive by Monday, 3 Aug 2026. Once received, the Consular Department will authenticate the translated documents and forward them to the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara to issue the death certificate and coordinate the repatriation of the body, belongings, and other items back to Thailand.
Regarding the cause of death, it remains under investigation. The Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara has informed the family of the Georgian authorities' procedures to closely monitor the investigation and will continue to report updates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Mangkon further detailed the timeline of finding Mr. Bowornthat’s body: hotel staff discovered the deceased in the afternoon of 14 Jul 2026 after he failed to check out as scheduled. The Embassy was notified later after Georgian police investigated the facts and coordinated with the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before informing the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara.
Upon initial reports of Mr. Bowornthat's disappearance, the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara immediately contacted the Thai community and honorary consuls. Once confirmation of the body in Georgian authorities' custody was received, the Embassy proceeded with all necessary arrangements until the body is repatriated to Thailand.
During a Q&A session, a reporter asked whether Georgian authorities failed to notify the Thai Embassy in Ankara immediately after finding the body on 14 Jul 2026. Mr. Mangkon replied no; after the hotel informed Georgian police on 14 Jul 2026, the police conducted their investigation before communicating the facts through Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Thai Embassy in Ankara.
Ms. Jaitai addressed rumors claiming the Thai Embassy in Ankara was notified as early as 14 Jul 2026, calling such reports inaccurate. Georgian authorities officially informed the Thai Embassy in Ankara on 29 Jul 2026. Since news of Mr. Bowornthat first surfaced, the Embassy had been in contact with networks in Georgia and closely monitoring the situation, dispatching representatives to Georgia to handle related matters.
Asked about rumors that the deceased's relatives notified the Thai Embassy in Ankara on 19 Jul 2026, Mr. Mangkon stated that the Consular Department and overseas embassies follow procedures to verify information upon receiving reports. Thailand has no embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, so communication is via honorary consuls and Thai networks there. Early information about the disappearance was not publicly disclosed, and there is no confirmation that relatives informed the Embassy on 19 Jul 2026.
Regarding the explanation from Georgian authorities for the over 10-day delay in notifying the Thai Embassy in Ankara, Ms. Jaitai said this is also a concern raised by the Embassy. They have requested Georgia clarify the reasons for the delay. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of this issue. Embassy officials in Ankara have communicated with senior Georgian officials, including police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who confirmed they are closely monitoring and fully managing the case.
Mr. Mangkon explained the death certificate issuance process: local authorities must first issue a death certificate, enabling the Thai Embassy—appointed by the bereaved family—to arrange repatriation of the body to Thailand. Issuing the death certificate is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' responsibility, providing the necessary documentation for the body’s return. The cause of death will be determined by Georgian authorities, as part of their jurisdiction to investigate the case.
When asked how long repatriation would take after receiving power of attorney from the family, Mr. Mangkon replied it would take some time, depending on how quickly Georgian authorities issue the documents, followed by coordination with the airline company. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will inform the public once it receives updates from the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara.
In closing, Ms. Jaitai said the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara is prepared to coordinate with the airline for repatriation of Mr. Bowornthat's body but must first await the death certificate issuance from Georgian authorities before proceeding.