By Nakiwala Barbra
A Thai woman, Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, has been sentenced to death for fatally poisoning a close friend with cyanide—one of 14 cases under investigation that has shocked the nation.
The Bangkok Criminal Court on Monday found Sararat, 36, guilty of murdering her friend, Siriporn Khanwong, 32, by lacing her food and drink with cyanide. The poisoning occurred during a trip to Ratchaburi province in April 2023. Siriporn collapsed at a Buddhist protection ritual and died shortly after. An autopsy revealed cyanide traces in her body, while her phone, money, and personal belongings were missing, linking Sararat to the crime.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Siriporn’s mother, Thongpin Kiatchanasiri, expressed relief at the verdict. “You got justice, my child. Today, there is justice in this world,” she said, holding her daughter’s photo.
Dubbed “Am Cyanide” by the Thai media, Sararat has been accused of preying on friends she owed money to, with cases of suspected cyanide poisoning dating back to 2015. Police revealed her pattern of stealing valuables from victims after their deaths. While most succumbed to her actions, one survivor provided critical testimony that helped secure her conviction.
Sararat denied all charges but showed no remorse during sentencing, according to Siriporn’s family. Alongside the death penalty, she has been ordered to pay two million baht (approximately $57,667) in compensation to Siriporn’s family.
Her ex-husband, former police officer Vitoon Rangsiwuthaporn, received a one-year-and-four-month sentence for helping conceal evidence. Sararat’s lawyer was sentenced to two years for aiding her attempts to evade justice. Police believe Vitoon also assisted her in poisoning another victim, her ex-boyfriend, Suthisak Poonkwan.
The murders have sparked widespread alarm in Thailand, where cyanide is strictly controlled. Authorities have confirmed ongoing investigations into the 14 suspected cases linked to Sararat, who is described as a gambling addict with a history of financial disputes.
The case has reignited public debates on toxic substance regulations and the dangers of misplaced trust. Sararat’s conviction is seen as a step toward justice for the victims and their families as authorities work to unravel the full extent of her crimes.
