Ratsadon group leader Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, currently being held on remand and in detention for contempt of court, has been on hunger strike for over two weeks. He allowed doctors to conduct a blood test for the first time on Saturday night, after suffering from fatigue, increased dizziness and dehydration.
According to a medical report from Corrections Department, officials at Pathum Thani remand prison gave Parit medication to ease his dizziness and recommended a blood test, which he had refused until his dizziness worsened.
A team of medical personnel from the department’s hospital was sent to the prison Saturday night to look after Parit and to conduct the test.
The results indicated his blood sugar had fallen to 64mg% and doctors decided to administer glucose intravenously, but he remains dehydrated.
Doctors did another blood test later, to measure his blood sodium level, and administered an intravenous fluid drip, saying that his condition is not yet life threatening, but that he needs to be kept under a close watch.
The latest report, at 7.30am on Sunday, shows Parit is still fatigued with dry lips, but still refuses to eat and only drinks a rehydration solution. His pulse is normal, body temperature is 36.6oC, his pulse is 72BPM, blood pressure is 121/62 and he is taking 18 breaths per minute.
Parit is being held in detention after the Criminal Court found him guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him to 15 days.
