Thai woman held for killing 12 friends in cyanide poisonings

Thailand police have arrested a 32-year-old woman accused of killing 12 of her friends using cyanide. Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn was held in Bangkok on Tuesday following recent inquiries into a friend's death, reported the BBC.

The victim's family had raised suspicions after she died on a trip with Sararat earlier this month. Police believes Sarat has killed 11 others, including her ex-boyfriend, while she denies the charges. According to the cops, financial instability seems to be the reason for the murders.

"Two weeks ago, she had travelled with her friend to Ratchaburi province, west of Bangkok, where they had taken part in a Buddhist protection ritual at a river," police said.

After sometime, her friend Siriporn Khanwong collapsed and died on the riverbank. Autopsy revealed traces of cyanide in her body. The victim's money and bag were missing when she was found.

Authorities said the other alleged victims had died in a similar way, but did not disclose further information. The murders began in 2020, they said.

The police did not disclose the identity of all the victims but named Sararat's former partner, as well as two female police officers, among the dead.

Police stated she got a loan of 250,000 baht (£5,900; $7,300) from one friend who they suspect was one among the targets. After eating lunch with Sararat, the woman fainted and vomited, but survived.

According to police, victims' relatives had also reported missing jewellery and money.

Indicating that evidence gathering could now be a challenge, police said that the families had not suspected foul play earlier. Some bodies had also been cremated, they added.