Thailand | "Am Cyanide" sentenced to death in 8th poisoning case

BANGKOK — 22 September 2026, The Criminal Court has sentenced “Am Cyanide” to death in her eighth poisoning case, finding her guilty of premeditated murder in the death of Jantharat “Jum” in Phetchaburi province.

The court also ordered Am, 39, to pay 60,000 baht in compensation to the victim’s husband, plus 5% annual interest from 15 August 2022 until payment is complete.

The judgement was read today in courtroom 712 at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok, in black case No. A 856/2568. Prosecutors had charged Am with premeditated murder for financial gain, concealing another offence or avoiding punishment for another offence, and contaminating food, medicine or other consumer products in a way that caused death.

Jantharat, 43, met Am at a petrol station near her home in Phetchaburi on 15 August 2022. After returning home, her husband found her unconscious and took her to Cha-am Hospital, where she later died.

The two knew each other through a joint money-lending investment. Jantharat had transferred 70,000 baht to Am for the venture and had separately lent her 26,800 baht.

The court found that Am had ordered a container of cyanide on 9 August 2022. She then arranged to meet Jantharat on 15 August, saying she would return the investment money with interest and bring medicine for lingering COVID-19 symptoms.

As of today’s ruling, eight of Am’s cases have already been decided, resulting in three death sentences, two life sentences and three acquittals.

Doctors found unusually high acid levels in Jantharat’s liver, caused by inflammation, but could not initially identify the cause. A forensic expert told the court that her symptoms were consistent with severe cyanide poisoning, which deprives the body of oxygen and affects the heart and brain.

Police examined Jantharat’s phone and found messages about the investment, records of a 26,800-baht transfer to Am, and an audio recording of the pair arranging to meet. The court heard that Am had initially proposed meeting on 12 August but postponed it because that day was a holiday and because Jantharat’s husband and child were at home. The meeting was moved to a petrol station to avoid any witnesses, and Am also said she would provide medicine.

Jantharat’s supervisor testified that she had generally been healthy. Although she had previously had COVID-19, she had not required hospital treatment and had only a lingering cough.

There were no eyewitnesses to the meeting or to any alleged administration of cyanide. However, the court said the evidence was sufficient beyond reasonable doubt, noting similarities with alleged conduct in Am’s other cases, in which victims met her and were given food, drinks or medicine before falling ill.

The court found the prosecution’s evidence credible and said the defence had not provided sufficient evidence to rebut it. It imposed the death penalty under the most serious applicable offence, premeditated murder for financial gain or to conceal or evade liability for another offence.

Because the death sentence was imposed, no additional sentence could be added. The court dismissed the remaining civil claims and ordered each side to bear its own legal costs.

Source: khaosodenglish.com, Staff, September 22, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
— Oscar Wilde

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