Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered an investigation into the tragic death of a young political activist, Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom, who passed away after going on a partial hunger strike while in pre-trial detention on charges of insulting the country’s monarchy.
Netiporn, 28, died in a prison hospital of heart failure, sparking a wave of mourning and outrage among activists, opposition lawmakers, Western diplomats, and rights groups. Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor her memory.
The activist had been jailed in January for contempt of court and her custody was extended after her bail was revoked in a royal insult case. Despite her deteriorating health, she refused to take vitamins and minerals, leading to her tragic demise.
Thailand’s lese majeste law, which protects the monarchy from criticism, is one of the strictest in the world and carries a jail sentence of up to 15 years for each violation. Netiporn is the first activist to die in custody since the youth-led protests in 2020 calling for reform of the monarchy began.
The Corrections Department is awaiting an official autopsy to determine the cause of death, as questions swirl around the circumstances leading to Netiporn’s passing. The denial of bail requests for numerous political activists in pre-trial detentions, including those charged with lese majeste, has raised concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Thailand.