The Criminal Court rejected bail applications for two hunger striking monarchy reform activists today, Tantawan Tuatulanon and Natthanon Chaimahabutra, on the grounds that they are now under the close observation of doctors in hospital and there is no need to change that.
The Criminal Court has previously refused to grant bail for the pair, who were detained on charges involving a royal motorcade incident earlier this month. Both then began a hunger strike in detention and are refusing medical treatment.
Tantawan was rushed from the Corrections Hospital to Thammasat University Hospital on Thursday, due to her deteriorating health, while Natthanon remains at the Corrections Department’s hospital.
The court said that, after considering the bail request for Tantawan and learning that Corrections Department hospital medical staff had offered her food and minerals through a feeding tube, which she refused, resulting in her transfer to Thammasat University Hospital on February 22nd, she has been treated properly and is under observation.
The court also said that Natthanon has been treated at the Corrections Department’s hospital for stomach ache and fatigue, caused by the hunger strike, since February 16th, but he has refused to receive intravenous medication, mineral supplements or other medical intervention.
Since the two activists are now under close medical observation, there was no need to change the order for them to be further detained and their bail requests were rejected.
Tantawan’s father Sommai petitioned the Criminal Court for bail on Saturday, as the health of both activists continues to deteriorate. He claims that Natthanon is in very bad shape, appears disoriented and can barely speak, while his daughter can still talk, but her voice is barely audible.
As part of the renewed bail application, he promised to restrain his daughter from engaging in future political activities and asked for mercy to save the lives of the two young people.
