A Bangkok court declared Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, guilty of poisoning a wealthy friend during a trip in April 2023. The incident raised alarm after the victim's family contested the cause of death, leading to an autopsy that revealed traces of cyanide in her system. Authorities arrested Sararat shortly after and launched an investigation, uncovering at least 14 similar cases linked to her since 2015.
Sararat, gaining the media moniker 'Am Cyanide,' reportedly suffered from a gambling addiction, which drove her to target friends from whom she had borrowed money. During a spiritual ritual near a river in Ratchaburi province, her friend Siriporn Khanwong, 32, mysteriously collapsed after sharing a meal with Sararat, who did not attempt to assist her. At the time of Siriporn's passing, her belongings were missing, further implicating Sararat in the crime.
Relatives expressed profound satisfaction with the verdict, with Siriporn's mother, Thongpin Kiatchanasiri, expressing her emotions outside the courthouse as she held a photo of her daughter. Sararat, who pleaded not guilty, appeared unfazed, smiling during the announcement of her sentence.
Additionally, Sararat's former husband, Vitoon Rangsiwuthaporn, and her legal counsel received prison sentences for their roles in concealing evidence. Sararat was also ordered to provide 2 million baht ($57,667) in damages to Siriporn's family.
Cyanide, a potent poison that can act quickly in high doses, remains strictly regulated in Thailand, with severe penalties for unauthorized possession. This case has sparked discussions about the control and use of such substances in the country.
