Thailand is mourning the death of Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom, a 28-year-old activist who passed away in a prison hospital after going on a hunger strike for 110 days. Netiporn was a member of the activist group Thaluwang, known for its campaigns advocating reform of the monarchy and abolition of laws that make it illegal to defame royal family members. Her death has reignited calls for a review of the judicial process that allows political offenders to be held in extended periods in prison before trial.
Amnesty International’s Thailand branch described Netiporn’s death as a stark reminder of how Thai authorities deny activists their right to temporary release on bail and use detention to silence peaceful dissent. The Move Forward party, which also supports monarchy reform, issued a statement emphasizing that people should not be imprisoned for their political opinions and that those accused of political offenses should be given bail. The controversial lese majeste law, which criminalizes insulting or defaming key royal family members, has been increasingly used to suppress political dissent in recent years.
Netiporn’s passing comes amidst a backdrop of student-led pro-democracy protests that openly criticized the monarchy, leading to a crackdown on activists charged with royal defamation. Netiporn had two lese majeste charges pending against her, including conducting polls in public spaces about the royal family. Despite efforts to transfer her to a different hospital for treatment, she was not granted prolonged stay for medical care. Her lawyers raised concerns about the differential treatment between young activists facing political charges and prominent individuals who have received leniency from the justice system.
Following Netiporn’s death, activists like Panusaya “Rung” Sitthijirawattanakul have criticized the government’s lack of action to address the plight of political prisoners. Thaluwang, the activist group to which Netiporn belonged, has been at the forefront of protests calling for reforms in the monarchy and justice system. They have also opposed Thailand’s bid to join the U.N. Human Rights Council, citing concerns about the government’s use of arbitrary arrests and pretrial detention to suppress dissent. The international community has raised alarm about the violations of human rights in the country.
The death of Netiporn has shed light on the challenges faced by activists in Thailand who advocate for political reform and face legal repercussions for expressing their opinions. The incident has sparked renewed calls for accountability and fair treatment within the justice system, especially for those charged under laws that restrict freedom of speech. As the country grapples with the aftermath of Netiporn’s passing, activists continue to demand justice and freedom for all political prisoners who are detained for peacefully expressing their dissent.
While the Thai government has expressed its commitment to human rights, critics argue that its actions contradict its aspirations to be seen as a defender of human rights on the international stage. The ongoing crackdown on political activists and the use of laws to stifle dissent raise questions about the country’s true commitment to upholding fundamental rights and freedoms. As the mourning for Netiporn continues, the spotlight remains on Thailand’s treatment of political prisoners and the need for meaningful reforms to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs.
