Thai woman in custody after US diplomat found dead in Myanmar, State Department says

By Gavin Blackburn Published on 10/06/2026 - 14:39 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp The Thai Embassy in Yangon and Thailand's Foreign Ministry refused to say whether they had provided consular support to the suspect or give any other information. An American diplomat was found dead in Myanmar, the US State Department said on Wednesday, and members of the diplomatic community in Yangon say a Thai woman has been detained by police in connection with the investigation. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT American officials in Thailand and the US Embassy in Myanmar referred questions on the case to the State Department, which confirmed the “death of a US government employee” assigned to the embassy in Yangon but gave no other details. “Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones, we have no further information to provide at this time,” the State Department said in an e-mailed reply to questions from the Associated Press news agency. According to three people in the diplomatic community in Myanmar, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the case, the man was found dead about two weeks ago at the Sakura Residence & Hotel. The facility, with long-term rentals, is popular with diplomats, business people and other international visitors, and is located about 1.5 kilometres from the American Embassy. Related Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar hits highest level in a decade, UN report saysMyanmar's military junta says hospital it bombed killing dozens was used as based by armed groups They said police are treating the case as a possible homicide and have a Thai woman in custody. Myanmar is embroiled in fighting between the country's military-led government, which ousted democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, and a disparate group of militias organised by the country's ethnic minority groups and pro-democracy forces. Authorities typically give little information to the media and the duty officer answering the phone at the station responsible for the area where the Sakura hotel is located refused to comment. The manager of the Sakura hotel also declined to comment. The Thai Embassy in Yangon and Thailand's Foreign Ministry also refused to say whether they had provided consular support to the suspect or give any other information. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Son of Myanmar's ousted leader appeals to Macron for help in securing proof of life Case on whether Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya opens at UN court Polls close in first ballot of Myanmar's general election since military seized power in 2021 coup Police Thailand Embassy investigation United States Myanmar