A Thai court has delivered a landmark ruling in a high-profile serial murder case, sentencing a woman to death for fatally poisoning at least a dozen people. Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn was found guilty of spiking her friend's food with cyanide, resulting in the victim's death, and stealing property worth over $4,400.
The court revealed that Sararat, a gambling addict, resorted to murder and robbery to settle her debts. The case gained national attention due to Sararat's connection to her ex-husband, a former senior police officer, and her pregnancy at the time of her arrest last year.
Authorities linked Sararat to a series of cyanide poisonings after the suspicious death of Siriporn Khanwong, with whom Sararat was seen on CCTV footage before Siriporn's demise. Autopsy results confirmed cyanide in Siriporn's system, a common factor among victims who had contact with Sararat before their deaths.
During the trial, Sararat was convicted of premeditated murder, robbery causing death, and spiking food resulting in death. In addition to the death penalty, she was ordered to compensate for the stolen items. Sararat's lawyer and ex-husband were also sentenced, with the ex-husband receiving a prison term for his involvement in concealing evidence.
Following the sentencing, Siriporn's family expressed relief, while Sararat maintained her innocence and plans to appeal the verdict. The national police agency is preparing to submit additional murder cases against Sararat to the prosecutor.
Thailand, which lifted a de facto moratorium on the death penalty in 2018, has seen a resurgence in capital punishment cases. While no executions have occurred since 2018, courts have handed down death sentences in notable cases, including the murders of two British backpackers in 2019.
