Backpacker tells of horror knife robbery in Georgia as YouTuber is found dead in hotel
A Thai backpacker recalled a horror knife robbery in Georgia as a missing YouTuber was found dead in a hotel.
Pornchai, seen in the video wearing glasses and a red Georgia cap, said he was backpacking alone in the former Soviet bloc nation when he was allegedly mugged by a knife-wielding assailant in 2022.
His account emerged after authorities confirmed the death of Thai YouTuber Bowornthat Pengsuk, better known as Hlun Solo, 27, who had been missing in Georgia since July 13.
Georgian police said Bowornthat's body was found at a hotel in Tbilisi on July 29. They have not yet disclosed further details.
However, Georgian media reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has opened a probe under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, covering 'incitement to suicide'.
Pornchai said that like Bowornthat, he had flown to Georgia alone four years ago - only to be robbed at knifepoint on the first day of his trip.
During the confrontation, he said he managed to grab the suspect's phone and later handed it over to police as evidence.
Officers arrested the suspect the following day, though he refused to reveal where he had hidden Pornchai's belongings.
The disgruntled tourist said that though many may regard Georgia as a safe destination, his personal experience led him to think otherwise.
He added: 'There were still many impoverished people in the country and unlucky tourists could easily become victims of crime.
'I also encountered difficulties with the justice system because police scheduled court hearings that conflicted with my departure date, causing me to miss my flight.'
Pornchai claimed he was then placed on a travel ban despite being the alleged victim, leaving him stranded for nearly a month in the former Soviet bloc nation.
He had reportedly been paying out of pocket as there is no Royal Thai Embassy located in Georgia, and coordination had to be handled through the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
He later received help from Thai nationals in Georgia who assisted him in dealing with local agencies. Georgian authorities eventually lifted the travel ban, allowing him to return safely to Thailand.
Following the nightmare trip, Pornchai urged tourists not to backpack alone and to prepare thoroughly before heading overseas.
He said: 'Solo backpacking is highly risky because if something goes wrong, there may be no one to help. Travel with at least one buddy, research your destination, connect with a Thai embassy or local Thai community, and always let someone know your travel plans.'
He shared his account following the death of Hlun Solo, a well-known Thai YouTuber and travel influencer who specialised in solo backpacking adventures.
The young man named his page, which currently has more than 2.5 million followers, after the nickname his late mother gave him, ‘Hlun'.
He was widely recognised for travelling alone to more than 50 countries, including 'high-risk' or hard-to-reach destinations like Somalia, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Burundi.
Hlun grew up in poverty, relying on part-time jobs and scholarships until he graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University.
Using his savings, he spent a year travelling as a backpacker before turning it into a full-time career.
Three tourists have died in Georgia over the past months, sparking safety concerns in the country.
In late May 2026, Indian medical student Dhvanit Rajdeep disappeared for more than two weeks before his body was recovered from the Mtkvari River in central Tbilisi.
In late July 2026, Russian national Ivan Shutenko lost contact with his family for about two weeks before he was found dead.
However, there is currently no evidence linking the deaths.
