Netiporn Sanesangkhom, a 28-year-old political activist also known as ‘Bung Thalu Wang,’ who had been on hunger strike since January 27, has died after being rushed to Thammasat University Hospital this morning in cardiac arrest, according to the Corrections Department.
Netiporn was pronounced dead at 11:22, the department said, adding that the Justice Minister has ordered the setting up of a committee to look into her death for the sake of transparency.
An autopsy will be conducted on her body at Thammasat University Hospital.”
Krisadang Nutcharat, a lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), earlier told the media that her family received a call from an official at the Corrections Department’s hospital at 6am today, informing them that Netiporn had fallen unconscious and that her heart had stopped beating, prompting medical personnel there to administer CPR.
He also said that he visited Netiporn in hospital about a week ago and found that she had lost about 10kg in weight as a result of her hunger strike, adding that she complained of a headache, pains all over her body and swollen legs.
Netiporn was incarcerated at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution on January 26, after she was sentenced to one-month in jail for contempt of court. On the same day, the court revoked her bail on a lèse majesté charge, following her involvement in a protest related to a Royal motorcade.
She claimed that her hunger strike was a call for reform of the judicial system and an end to the imprisonment of political prisoners in Thailand.
On February 2 this year, Netiporn prepared a last will and testament, in which she leaves her possessions to Thanalop Phalanchai, a former political activist from the ‘Thalu Wang’ group. The list of bequests includes her cash and bank deposits, a wrist watch, earrings and her pet.
Other assets including a title deed, the rights to claim and the rights to inheritance of which are bequeathed to her elder sister.
On February 8, Netiporn signed another document stating her intention to refuse any medical intervention to prolong her life and to donate her body to medical science at Thammasat University Hospital.
