Thai actress who bought cyanide says it was to kill snakes and monitor lizards

An actress who bought cyanide from the same batch allegedly used by serial killer suspect Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn has explained her reasons to police. Thai PBS World reports that Preechaya Pongthananikorn reported to police yesterday, explaining why she bought the cyanide. The actress was accompanied by her mother and her lawyer, Monchai Jongkrairattnakul.

According to the report, the actress stated that she purchased cyanide online to get rid of monitor lizards from the garden of her mother’s house. She says the reptiles previously attacked her dogs and she was trying to get rid of both them and snakes. She insists she had no intention of harming anyone (other than the snakes and monitor lizards, presumably).

Monchai says he doesn’t know if the police plan to charge his client for illegally possessing cyanide. The lawyer says all remaining supplies of cyanide that the actress had have been handed over to Bang Khen Police.

Preechaya has previously issued a public apology, explaining that she did not know possession of the dangerous chemical was illegal.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World