Mystery surrounds the death of Thai travel YouTuber Hlun Solo after he was found dead in a Tbilisi hotel following more than two weeks of silence. Georgian police are investigating while Thai officials await answers and prepare to bring him home.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Thursday confirmed the death of popular travel YouTuber Hlun Solo after Georgian authorities informed Thai officials that the 27-year-old was found dead in a hotel room in Tbilisi, ending an international search that began when he disappeared more than two weeks ago. Georgian police are investigating the unexplained death, while Thai diplomats remain in Georgia awaiting the official findings and the return of his body.
The Thai travel YouTuber known as Hlun Solo has been found dead in a hotel room in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, more than two weeks after contact with his family ceased.
Georgian police confirmed the death on Wednesday. They have opened an investigation into what they described as unclear circumstances. No official cause of death has been announced.
The 27-year-old content creator was Bowornthat Pengsuk. He travelled to Georgia earlier this month to film new material for his popular solo backpacking channel. His videos focused on budget travel and independent exploration.
As a result, he became one of Thailand’s most recognisable travel creators. He amassed about 2.5 million Facebook followers and roughly 950,000 YouTube subscribers.
Family appeal sparked search before officials confirmed the popular travel YouTuber died in Georgia
The search intensified after his brother issued a public appeal on Tuesday. He said the family had not heard from Bowornthat since July 13. Repeated telephone calls brought no response. Other attempts to contact him also failed.
Soon afterwards, missing person appeals spread rapidly across Thai social media. Millions of followers shared his photograph and called for information.
In parallel, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined efforts to trace the missing YouTuber. Officials coordinated with Georgian authorities throughout the search. They also worked with Thailand’s honorary consul-designate and Thai volunteers living in Georgia. Later, a family friend involved in the search confirmed that relatives had been informed of Bowornthat’s death.
At 8.25 am on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow addressed the case at Government House. He expressed condolences to Bowornthat’s family before outlining Thailand’s response.
He confirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had dispatched officials from the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara. That embassy is responsible for diplomatic affairs in Georgia.
“We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased,” Sihasak said. “This is an unexpected event, as Hlun travelled to many countries.”
Thai embassy officials dispatched to Tbilisi as minister urges patience before any conclusions on the death
The minister said Thai officials travelled to Tbilisi immediately after Bowornthat’s disappearance became clear. They are now awaiting the findings of the Georgian investigation. Meanwhile, he stressed that only Georgian investigators could establish the cause of death. Thailand would receive the official findings once the inquiry concludes.
“We will have to wait for the Georgian authorities to officially conclude the cause and await a report from our embassy officials,” he said.
Attention has also focused on the timeline surrounding Bowornthat’s disappearance. Reporters questioned why he remained missing for more than two weeks before being discovered inside the hotel.
In response, Sihasak said Thai officials acted immediately after learning he had been out of contact for several days. Coordination then began with Georgian authorities and diplomatic representatives responsible for the country.
“As soon as we learned that he had been missing for several days and was out of contact, Georgia and the embassy immediately took action, and his body was found inside the hotel as reported in the news,” he said.
Minister rejects speculation as reporters press officials over timeline and role in Georgia investigation
Reporters also asked why relatives were informed only recently despite reports suggesting Bowornthat may have died several days earlier.
Sihasak declined to speculate. Instead, he said Bowornthat had been travelling continuously while filming in Georgia. Contact then stopped unexpectedly. Officials therefore had to coordinate carefully with local authorities before confirming developments.
Separately, journalists asked whether Thailand would take part directly in the investigation. Sihasak said Thai officials are already in Georgia. However, they will not interfere with the local inquiry. Responsibility for determining the cause of death rests entirely with Georgian investigators.
“We already have our officials, but we must let the Georgian authorities complete their investigation first,” he said. “They will then inform us of the results. At this time, we cannot conclude anything.”
Notably, the minister rejected growing speculation surrounding the circumstances of Bowornthat’s death. Reporters referred to local Georgian media reports suggesting possible explanations. Sihasak again refused to endorse those accounts before the investigation concludes.
“Regarding the conclusions about whether the death was caused by assault or self-harm, we must wait for the investigation results to be released,” he said.
Officials await investigation findings as plans begin for repatriation and travel advice remains unchanged
When pressed about Georgian media reports suggesting a possible cause, Sihasak repeated the same warning. He said no official findings had yet been issued. Therefore, he urged patience while investigators completed their work.
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions yet,” he said. “Please wait for the official investigation, which is being expedited. Once the results are known, we will inform the relatives and family.”
On another front, attention has turned to returning Bowornthat’s body to Thailand. Sihasak said the repatriation process will begin after the investigation finishes. He added that procedures will follow the wishes of Bowornthat’s family.
“Once the investigation is complete, we will proceed with the process of bringing the body back, depending on the wishes of the family, whose opinions we must listen to,” he said.
Reporters also questioned whether the case should trigger stronger travel warnings for Georgia. Sihasak said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs already issues regular travel advisories covering unsafe areas and conflict zones. Those planning overseas trips should seek the latest information before departure. They should also contact the appropriate Thai embassy if assistance becomes necessary.
From poverty to global travel fame before a final journey to Georgia ended in a hotel room in Tbilisi
Although Thailand has no embassy in Georgia, the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara responded immediately because it oversees relations with the country. Embassy officials travelled to Tbilisi soon after the case emerged. They remain there while the Georgian investigation continues.
Bowornthat’s personal story made him an inspiration to many followers. He grew up in poverty in Kalasin after his father died. His grandmother raised him throughout his childhood. After finishing high school, he worked in a factory. He later earned a scholarship to Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. There, he graduated with a degree in political science.
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After graduation, he chose travel instead of a conventional career. His channel documented solo backpacking, careful budgeting and determination to keep travelling. His videos showed how he saved money to finance each journey.
Over time, his audience expanded into the millions. His final trip was intended to produce more travel content from Georgia. Instead, it ended with his body being discovered inside a hotel room in Tbilisi. Georgian investigators are continuing their inquiry while Thai officials await the official findings.
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