The Criminal Court sentenced "Am Cyanide" to death in the eighth case involving the deceitful murder of "Jum Chantrarut" to clear a loan debt, ordering compensation of 60,000 baht plus interest to the deceased's husband as damages to be paid.
At 10:15 a.m. on 22 Sep 2026, in courtroom 712 of the Criminal Court, the court read the verdict in the eighth cyanide poisoning case, case number D.A. 856/2568. The criminal prosecutor charged Ms. Sararat Rangsivutaporn, known as Am Cyanide, aged 39, as the defendant for premeditated murder to gain or retain benefits arising from other offenses she committed, to conceal other crimes, and to avoid punishment for those crimes. She was also charged with adulterating food, medicine, or other consumables causing death to another person.
On 15 Aug 2022, Ms. Chantrarut Wongkraisin, known as Jum, aged 43, died after meeting with the defendant at a gas station near her home in Phetchaburi Province. Upon returning home, her husband found her unconscious and rushed her to Cha-am Hospital, where she later died. The victim was linked to the defendant through a joint money-lending investment, having transferred 70,000 baht to the defendant and separately loaned her an additional 26,800 baht.
The court considered that on 9 Aug 2022, the defendant ordered a container of cyanide poison. Subsequently, on 15 Aug 2022, the defendant arranged to meet the victim at a gas station in Phetchaburi Province to return the joint investment money with interest and to provide medicine for post-COVID symptoms.
Later, the victim's husband found her unconscious at home and took her to Cha-am Hospital, where she died shortly after. Medical staff noted abnormal blood tests showing high liver acid levels due to inflammation, but the cause of this inflammation was unknown.
A forensic medical expert testified that the victim’s symptoms indicated oxygen deprivation affecting her heart and brain, consistent with poisoning by a significant amount of cyanide. It was concluded that Ms. Chantrarut had been exposed to a large dose of cyanide poison.
Police witnesses examined the victim’s phone and found chat messages inviting investment, evidence of money transfers totaling more than 26,800 baht to the defendant, and audio recordings of conversations between the defendant and victim. The defendant arranged to return the invested money with interest on 12 Aug 2022 but postponed to 15 Aug 2022 due to the victim’s husband and child being at home. They agreed to meet at a gas station to avoid witnesses, and the defendant planned to bring medicine for post-COVID symptoms.
A witness, the victim’s supervisor, stated that the victim had been in good health overall, despite a previous COVID infection that did not require hospitalization, though she had persistent coughing symptoms.
Although no eyewitness saw the defendant meeting the victim or poisoning her with cyanide, the defendant likely concealed the act. Examination of investigation records and the defendant’s behavior in previous cases showed similar patterns: victims met the defendant and received food, drink, or medicine, followed by symptoms consistent with cyanide poisoning. The prosecution's evidence was credible and convincing without doubt, while the defendant’s testimony was vague and did not refute the prosecution’s evidence.
The court ruled that the defendant’s actions constituted a single act violating several legal provisions. She was sentenced for premeditated murder to gain or retain benefits arising from other crimes to conceal or avoid punishment for those crimes. This is the most severe legal charge, carrying the death penalty. Once sentenced to death, no additional punishment can be added. The defendant was also ordered to pay 60,000 baht plus 5% annual interest from 15 Aug 2022 until fully paid to the complainant.
Afterward, Mr. Chaiya Khum-um, the defendant’s lawyer, said they will appeal, disagreeing with the court’s handling of evidence presented by the defense, which was submitted to investigators but not fully introduced in court, especially bank transactions and the defendant’s phone records. The defendant possessed only one container of cyanide, with no fingerprints found on it, and this case is among 15 cases involving cyanide. It must be proven how the death by poison is connected to the defendant, as some cases were dismissed despite deaths because it could not be proven that the defendant adulterated poison in victims.
Asked if Am had expressed remorse, lawyer Chaiya explained that Am has denied all charges from the start. Since she denies involvement, there is no basis for remorse. Despite the death sentence, Am insists on her innocence and is willing to accept the punishment.
Ms. Thanthachaya Eksuwanrat, or lawyer Patch, stated that after speaking with Am, she disagrees with the verdict, especially regarding evidence from the phone, and plans to appeal further.
Reporters noted that Am Cyanide has been sentenced in eight cases so far, with three death sentences, two life imprisonments, and three acquittals out of 15 cases filed by prosecutors, including 14 murder charges and one attempted murder charge. The next hearing is scheduled for 25 Nov 2026 regarding the attempted murder charge of Ms. Kantima Paesart.