Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Thursday expressed sadness on the passing of Thai travel YouTuber Hlun Solo in Georgia, saying the cause of death has yet to be concluded and is still under investigation.

The Thai embassy in Ankara, Turkey, which also handles Thai affairs in Georgia, has already sent officials to Tbilisi to follow up on the investigation, Mr Sihasak told reporters at Government House.

The 27-year-old travel vlogger, whose real name was Bowornthat Pengsuk, was confirmed dead on Wednesday by Georgian police. His body was found at a hotel room in the capital city, with circumstances surrounding the death described as unclear.

Bowornthat was last in contact with his family on July 13, according to his brother who issued a public appeal for information about his whereabouts on Tuesday. The Thai foreign ministry, Thai volunteers and local officials in Georgia, as well as friends of the family, cooperated to locate him.

Georgian media outlets carried unconfirmed reports that the traveller had been found dead “nearly two weeks” before the confirmation from police.

The Georgian-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said an investigation has been launched under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, which covers “incitement to suicide”. Such investigations are routinely opened when a person is found dead under unclear circumstances, it said.

Asked whether Thai authorities would take part in the investigation, Mr Sihasak said Thailand has officials monitoring the case, but Georgian authorities must first complete their investigation and officially share the findings.

At this stage, no conclusions can be drawn. Speculation that Bowornthat may have been assaulted or may have harmed himself should be avoided until the investigation is finished, the minister said.

Once the investigation is completed, authorities will proceed with the necessary steps to bring his remains home, with the process depending on the wishes of the family. (Story continues below)

A photo from 2024 shows Bowornthat “Hlun Solo” Pengsuk taking his grandmother Som Pengsuk on a trip. It was her first time in an airplane.

Grandmother grieves in Kalasin

Bowornthat’s grandmother, Som Pengsuk, was waiting for more details about his death in the northeastern province of Kalasin.

Ms Som, who raised Bowornthat since childhood after his father passed away, said she was heartbroken and deeply saddened that his life had ended at such a young age, according to reporters who visited her on Thursday morning.

She described her grandchild as “a good person, who had been hardworking, diligent and grateful, with a cheerful personality that always brightened the atmosphere”.

“Whenever he came home, children and neighbours in the village would gather around him and enjoy spending time together,” she said.

The grandmother also firmly rejected any speculation about suicide.

She recalled that before he left for Georgia, she told him that she wanted a karaoke set so they could sing together.

“Hlun promised he would get one for me, and I imagined that by the end of the year we’d be singing songs together. But now, that day will never come.”

Hlun Solo had gone to the country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia earlier this month to shoot video and gather local tales for his popular features on solo budget travel. He had over 3 million online followers and had travelled to over 50 countries across the world.

Many wrote condolence messages online while describing his content as inspiring guides for living a good life.