Thai Woman Convicted of Cyanide Poisonings, Faces Death Penalty
The Conviction
A Thai woman, Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, has been convicted and sentenced to death for poisoning her friend, Siriporn Kanwong, with cyanide. This is the first of her 14 murder trials, and she faces a total of around 80 offences.
The Crimes
Sararat, an online gambling addict, is accused of swindling thousands of dollars from her victims before killing them with the chemical. She funded her addiction by borrowing money from her victims, and in one case, as much as 300,000 baht (nearly US$9,000). She then killed them and stole their jewellery and mobile phones.
The Investigation
The two women met up near Bangkok in April last year to release fish into the Mae Klong River as part of a Buddhist ritual. Siriporn collapsed and died shortly afterwards, and investigators found traces of cyanide in her body. This led police to link Sararat to previously unsolved cyanide poisonings going back as far as 2015.
The Verdict
"The court’s decision is just," Siriporn’s mother, Tongpin Kiatchanasiri, told reporters following the verdict. "I want to tell my daughter that I miss her deeply, and justice has been done for her today."
The Sentence
Sararat faces 13 more separate murder trials and has been charged with around 80 offences in total. Her ex-husband, a police lieutenant-colonel, was given 16 months in prison and her former lawyer two years for complicity in Siriporn’s killing.
Other Notorious Cases
Thailand has been the scene of several sordid and high-profile criminal cases. Earlier this year, six foreigners were found dead in a luxury Bangkok hotel after a cyanide poisoning believed to be connected to debts worth millions of baht.
Conclusion
Sararat’s conviction is a significant step towards justice for her victims and their families. Her case highlights the devastating consequences of online gambling addiction and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many murder trials does Sararat face?
A: 14
Q: How many offences has Sararat been charged with?
A: Around 80
Q: What was Sararat’s motive for the killings?
A: To fund her online gambling addiction
Q: What was the punishment for Sararat’s ex-husband and former lawyer?
A: 16 months in prison and two years, respectively