By Thai Newsroom Reporters
A GROUP OF PRO-DEMOCRACY activists today (May 16) urged the government to return access to release under bail to all politically-charged defendants.
The pro-democracy activists including Patasaravalee Tanakitvibulpon, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul and Jatupat Boonpattararaksa lodged the petition at Government House for the Pheu Thai-led government to return bail access to all politically-charged defendants in a prompt fashion.
Their latest move closely followed Tuesday’s tragic death of fellow political activist Netiporn ‘”Bung” Sanesangkhom due to a hunger strike during detention at a Bangkok prison.
Netiporn who had been charged in a lese majeste lawsuit was pronounced dead at a hospital after being on a hunger strike for 110 days.
Three other political detainees also charged under the draconian lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, are currently still continuing a hunger strike since the last few months. The trio included Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanond who was rushed to hospital for safety yesterday.
At least 41 detainees faced with the lese majeste charges have so far been denied access to release under bail.
Meanwhile, the pro-democracy petitioners called on the Pheu Thai-led government to indefinitely postpone the prosecution process against all politically-related defendants and streamline legislation to grant amnesty to those who may have been prosecuted in politically-related lawsuits since the last decade.
Video clips featuring de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra and his daughter/Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra making verbal statements in support of partisan policy for unconditional release of all politically-charged detainees were shown by the petitioners at Government House.
They also called on the government to order a prompt and transparent investigation into Netriporn’s death with respect to the Corrections Department’s handling of her condition during the detention and hunger strike and prior to her death.
CAPTION:
Political activists handing over their petition at Government House today, May 16, 2024. All photos: Naewna
Earlier reports:
Stressed out detained activist sent to Thammasat hospital
Envoys of world democracies express condolences for Netiporn’s death
Inquiry launched over accountability for fasting activist’s death
3 lese majeste detainees still on hunger strike as one other dies
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