KUALA LUMPUR – The 28-year-old political activist detained in Thai jail for pre-trial over lese-majeste offences died just before noon today while on a dry hunger strike since late January.
“Bung Thaluwang” Netiporn Sanesangkhom had a sudden cardiac arrest early this morning and was transferred to Thammasat University Hospital from Central Women’s Correctional Institution, reported Khaosod English.
She began a dry hunger strike on January 27 to demand reforms of the justice system and that no one should be imprisoned for political dissent.
The Corrections Department said in a statement that doctors tried to revive her from 6.20am to 11.22am, but she did not respond to treatment and died soon after.
“After the Medical Correctional Institution Hospital received Netiporn from Thammasat University Hospital on April 4, 2024, Netiporn resumed eating and drinking.
“Doctors and nurses provided close and continuous care, but she still had mild weakness and swelling in her legs.
“Blood tests showed mild anaemia and low electrolytes, but Netiporn refused to take electrolytes and blood-nourishing vitamins, leading to the aforementioned symptoms and her death today.”
She was charged after protesting over a royal motorcade in 2020 during the peak of the kingdom’s pro-democracy movement.
Thailand has some of the world’s strictest lese-majeste laws that protect the royal family. Each offence carries a potential 15-year sentence. – May 14, 2024