Recently, Sarala was sentenced to death by a court in Bangkok for poisoning and killing 14 people over 8 years. This marks a rare occurrence in Thailand, a country that has long been against the death penalty.
Sarala, also known as the “Cyanide Poison Woman” in Thailand, used cyanide to kill her victims. She murdered friends and family. Her case shocked the nation, not just because of the death toll, but also due to her unique identity. Sarala was the wife of a police officer. She used her husband’s connections to cover up her crimes.
The Mysterious Death of a Businesswoman
The case began in April 2023 when a wealthy businesswoman from southern Thailand suddenly collapsed during a religious ceremony. She was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, she was declared dead from a heart attack. 
Her family, however, was suspicious. The businesswoman had no history of heart disease. They suspected foul play and demanded a post-mortem. The autopsy results showed she died from heart failure. The doctors also found cyanide in her system.
This raised alarms. The family realized that cyanide was a rare poison. It was not something ordinary people would come across. They began to believe this was a premeditated murder. Furthermore, the businesswoman’s sister recalled that her sibling had gone to the ceremony at Sarala’s invitation.
The family found that after her death, the businesswoman’s belongings were missing. She had carried 40,000 Thai Baht , expensive bags, and two mobile phones, all of which vanished.
The Investigation Begins
The police began to investigate Sarala. They soon learned that Sarala owed the businesswoman a large sum of money. Sarala had borrowed 2 million Thai Baht . She had not repaid the loan.
In Sarala’s mother’s house, the police found bags containing cyanide. They also discovered several documents with the names of various people. These documents appeared to be related to life insurance policies.
At first, Sarala denied any involvement in the poisoning. She refused to confess to any crimes. However, the evidence against her continued to grow. Investigators also found that Sarala was linked to many other suspicious deaths.
These victims were all women close to Sarala. They died from sudden heart attacks. Yet, signs of poisoning were found in their bodies.
Sarala’s Connection to Her Husband and the Police
Sarala’s husband, Vitun, was a deputy police chief. He used his position to protect her. The investigation revealed that both Sarala and Vitun had massive gambling debts. They owed around 93 million Baht .
Sarala had used personal information from victims to purchase life insurance policies. She pretended to be the victim’s relative. After her victims died, she collected the insurance money.
Sarala’s husband, as a police officer, used his power to help cover up her crimes. Some police officers were also involved. They helped Sarala by providing false evidence.
The True Identity of Sarala
Sarala had always appeared to be a simple housewife. However, as the investigation progressed, more about her true nature was revealed. She had been manipulating people for years.
It was uncovered that Sarala had connections with powerful people, especially her husband. These relationships allowed her to avoid justice for a long time.
Sarala’s crimes went unnoticed for years. She had managed to escape detection multiple times. It was only after media investigation that the truth came to light. The police had ignored many of her victims’ families. They had not taken their complaints seriously. It was only after public pressure that the case was reopened.
The Impact on Thailand and Its Tourism Industry
This case has shocked Thailand. It has caused concern in the tourism sector. Foreign visitors are worried about their safety. The Thai government has promised to take action against online gambling. They also vowed to clean up corruption within the police force.
This case highlights the dangers of gambling. It can lead to financial ruin and even death. The story shows how destructive addiction to gambling can be. It is a warning about how it can destroy families and lives.
