Smirking Before Judges and Bereaved Families... Death Sentence for Thai Woman Who Killed 14 People

Suffering from Gambling Addiction... Murder to Avoid Debt Repayment

A woman in her 30s accused of poisoning 14 acquaintances in Thailand was ultimately sentenced to death.

On the 20th (local time), British broadcaster BBC and others reported that a court in Bangkok, Thailand, handed down the death penalty to Sararat Raithutaphon (36), who was charged with murder.

It was investigated that Sararat committed the crime last year after traveling with the victims near Bangkok. After the two had a meal, one of the victims suddenly collapsed, and Sararat reportedly did not provide any help to the dying person.

After borrowing money from the victims, Sararat attempted to poison them to avoid repayment. YouTube capture

According to police investigations, Sararat had been involved in similar incidents since 2015. Thai police revealed that Sararat is a gambling addict who murdered acquaintances who lent her money and stole their valuables. The number of victims Sararat has killed so far reaches 14, and trials for each charge are currently underway.

The mother of a victim appeared in court holding a photo of the person killed by Sararat. She told reporters, "Justice has been served," and expressed, "I could not bear seeing Sararat smiling while the verdict was being delivered."

Sararat is reported to have secretly poisoned the victims by putting cyanide in their food. The use of cyanide is strictly regulated in Thailand, and purchasing or using cyanide without permission can result in up to two years of imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Sararat’s ex-husband, a former police officer, and Sararat’s lawyer were sentenced to 1 year and 4 months, and 2 years in prison respectively for hiding evidence to help her avoid prosecution. In particular, the ex-husband was found to have assisted not only in concealing evidence but also in the murder of Sararat’s ex-boyfriend.