Woman sentenced to death for killing friends after borrowing money from them

A 36-year-old woman from Thailand named Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn was sentenced to death for the murder of a wealthy friend using cyanide, marking the first conviction in a series of similar cases in which she is accused of killing 14 individuals with the poison. 

A court in Bangkok found Sararat guilty of poisoning her friend, Siriporn Khanwong, 32, during a trip in April 2023. 

The victim's family initially suspected foul play when she died suddenly, leading to an autopsy that revealed traces of cyanide in her body.

Following the discovery, police arrested Sararat and investigated other suspicious deaths dating back to 2015, uncovering a pattern in which she allegedly targeted friends to whom she owed money. 

Sararat, known by the media as "Am Cyanide," reportedly had a gambling addiction and would poison her victims, stealing their jewelry and valuables after they died. One person she allegedly poisoned survived the attack.

Sararat and Siriporn had traveled together to Ratchaburi province, where they participated in a Buddhist ritual. After a meal, Siriporn collapsed and died, with no effort from Sararat to assist her. Authorities found cyanide in Siriporn’s body and discovered her phone, money, and bags were missing.

In court, Siriporn's mother, Thongpin Kiatchanasiri, expressed relief and anger, holding a photo of her daughter and declaring that “justice had been served”. Sararat pleaded not guilty, but the court sentenced her to death. 

Sararat's former husband, Vitoon Rangsiwuthaporn, and her lawyer were sentenced for aiding in the concealment of evidence. Additionally, Sararat was ordered to pay Siriporn's family two million baht ($57,667) in compensation.