The wife of a Thai police officer is being probed for suspected murder and a dozen other poison incidents.

Thai police are investigating whether a woman arrested this week on suspicion of murdering her friend with cyanide may have done the same to at least 12 other victims in a spate of killings that has transfixed the kingdom. The suspect, who police have identified only by the name Am, was arrested on Tuesday for the alleged murder of Siriporn Kanwong, who was last seen on CCTV footage with Am before she fainted and died. Am's lawyer, Thannicha Akesuwannawat, denied any involvement in Siriporn's death. Investigators are now looking into at least 12 other suspected murder cases where the victims had links to Am and similar causes of death. One woman who was allegedly targeted by Am came forward to authorities after news of her arrest broke.

All the victims ate or drank with Am in the run up to their deaths, and investigators believe the killings may have had a financial motive, primarily debts. Press photos showed Am wearing a face mask while being led into court by police in Bangkok on Wednesday. The case has generated huge local media interest this week in Thailand and has prompted others to come forward