Thai Woman Sentenced to Death for Serial Cyanide Poisonings

In a landmark case, a Thai court in Bangkok has sentenced Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn to death for the murder of her friend, marking the first conviction in a series of alleged cyanide poisonings. Sararat, aged 36, was found guilty of deliberately poisoning 14 individuals over several years, one of whom was identified as Siriporn Khanwong, 32, a wealthy friend of the accused.

The court heard that Sararat administered cyanide into her victims’ food and beverages. Siriporn, who died following a meal with Sararat during a trip to Ratchaburi province in April 2023, was found with traces of cyanide after an autopsy was requested by her suspicious family. The police revealed that the motive was linked to Sararat’s gambling debts, leading her to target and rob friends to whom she owed money.

Siriporn’s mother, Thongpin Kiatchanasiri, expressed relief outside the courtroom, stating, «You got justice, my child. Today, there is justice in this world.» The grieving mother asserted that she could not bear to look at Sararat, who reportedly smiled as the verdict was delivered.

The investigation, spurred by Siriporn’s death, led authorities to uncover a string of suspicious fatalities dating back to 2015, all involving individuals who had recently interacted with Sararat. One other person who had supposedly been targeted survived and later reported the attempt, empowering investigators to delve deeper into Sararat’s activities.

Sararat’s former husband, Witoon Rangsiwuthaporn, a former senior police officer, and her lawyer, Thanicha Eksuwanwat, were convicted of obstructing justice. They received prison sentences of one year and four months, and two years, respectively, for assisting in the concealment of evidence.

Sararat’s defense team intends to appeal the decision, with her lawyer asserting, «My client is innocent … She is not satisfied with the court verdict.» The national police agency is preparing to submit more murder charges connected to Sararat for prosecution.

In a broader context, this case has reignited discussions regarding the enforcement of the death penalty in Thailand, where the government lifted a de facto moratorium in 2018.