Parents alerted as hunger strikers’ condition worsen

DOCTORS at Thammasat Hospital called the parents of two young woman activists on a severe hunger strike as well as their lawyer to come over this morning (Feb. 6) as their symptoms have deteriorated, Matichon newspaper said.

At 7.52 p.m. Mr. Kritsadang Nutcharat, or Lawyer Dang, from the Lawyers for Human Rights Centre, posted a message that parents of Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanond and Orawan “Bam” Pupong who have still refused to drink water or eat food provided in prison or at the hospital since January 18 were told to come in the morning.

Tantawan and Orawan have been resolutely protesting against the sustained detainment of 21 political activists including themselves on lese majeste and sedition charges whilst bail has been repeatedly denied and no court verdict has been delivered yet.

Meanwhile members of the Citizens Retaliate group led by Mr. Pansak Srithep held a demonstration entitled “Stand, Stop Detention 1.12 Hours” in front of the Supreme Court on Ratchadamnoen Road for the 242nd day last evening standing in front of the complex from 5.30 p.m. to 6.42 p.m. with a banner carrying  the message “Release our Friends” posted behind them.

Participants gathered there had hung images of detained political activists from their neck including that of Tantawan and Orawan and among the others are Ms. Nattanich Duangmusit, or Bai Por, Mr. Sophon Rittamrong, or Get, Mr. Sitthichoke Sethasawet and Mrs. Anchan Preelert.

With Thantawan’s name meaning sunflower, several sunflowers were also placed in front of the Supreme Court . Images of still detained political activists and fabric banners saying “Release Political Fighters,” “Cancel 112,” with this being the numeral of the lese majeste law, and “Free All Political Prisoners” too were tied to trees.

At 6.42 p.m. when their standing protest ended sunflowers were distributed to the participants. Pansak related that this is the 13th day the two young women had been hospitalised while Sitthichok had been on a hunger strike for 20 days and not drunk water for 11 days and the condition of all three had deteriorated.

CAPTIONS:

Top: Tantawan Tuatulanond and Orawan Pupong are holding a severe hunger strike after a roadside protest where they pour red dye, representing blood, over their head and body. 

Below and Front Page: A standing demonstration in front of the Supreme Court yesterday. Feb. 5, 2023. All photos: Matichon

Also read: Privy Council head urged to defuse life-and-death crisis over 2 hunger strikers

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