Thai Autopsy on Hlun Soe Finds Heart Abnormality, Poison Ruled Out
Thai autopsy on Bowortat Pengsook, known as Hlun Soe, found heart abnormalities but ruled out poison; tissue samples are being tested to determine if he had pre-existing heart disease before final conclusions.
Doctors revealed that the family of Bowortat Pengsook, known as Hlun Soe, accepted the results of Thailand's second autopsy. Georgia preserved heart tissue samples to determine whether he had pre-existing heart disease. The family will receive the body on August 7 and hold merit-making ceremonies in Kalasin province.
On August 6, 2025, at 1 p.m., at the Institute of Forensic Medicine under the Justice Ministry, Associate Professor Woravir Waiyavuth, Deputy Director of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, disclosed details following the second autopsy of Bowortat Pengsook, also known as Hlun Soe. The repeat autopsy was conducted after the deceased's body had already undergone official autopsy in Georgia. The Institute explained the procedures and obtained family consent to release information to the media.
Preliminary autopsy findings showed no signs of physical trauma, and most organs appeared normal except the heart, which Georgia had examined thoroughly. However, the Institute collected tissue samples for further laboratory analysis, including histological examination and testing for chemical or toxic substances.
Woravir stated that preliminary autopsy findings overall indicate heart and circulatory system failure, but the cause of death cannot yet be concluded, and the possibility of poisoning has not been ruled out. The Justice Ministry is coordinating with Georgian authorities to request the first autopsy results, blood test results, toxicology reports, details from the scene of death, and information on narcotics for comparative analysis. Results are expected in approximately 1-2 weeks before an official conclusion on the cause of death can be made. The preliminary conclusion of cardiac and circulatory failure was reached because other organs showed no abnormalities that would indicate the cause of death.
Woravir noted that the condition of the body, having already undergone one autopsy, limits the scope of a second examination and cannot compete with the first. Therefore, the results from the first autopsy in Georgia are crucial. Without those results, the conclusion on the cause of death would be incomplete, but laboratory examination results will provide supporting evidence.
Woravir stated that internal organs have been returned completely, with only tissue samples retained for further testing. Initially, the family was informed of preliminary autopsy findings and appeared satisfied with the results, even though laboratory results are not yet complete. Testing includes genetic analysis and examination of heart muscle that showed signs of severe stimulation, factors dependent on lifestyle. Further examination will determine whether the deceased had pre-existing heart disease. Georgian authorities suspected this possibility and submitted heart vessel tissue for detailed analysis.
When asked what would happen if both countries' autopsies were completed and the family remained uncertain about the cause, Woravir replied that if issues such as poisoning were involved, legal action could be pursued, but the family is not currently concerned. He emphasized that the family can now take the body back for religious ceremonies since the Institute has preserved all evidence. Regarding questions about whether the deceased inhaled gas, Woravir stated that Georgia tested the blood but Thailand could not because there was no blood available. He acknowledged that delays in autopsy can cause decomposition and loss of needed details, though the exact timeline of the delay was unclear.
