Political activist Tantawan Tuatulanon was taken from the Corrections Department’s hospital to Thammasat University Hospital this afternoon, to be treated for stress and depression.
Arjaree Srisunakrua, director of the Central Women’s Correctional Institution, said today that Tantawan deteriorated after she learned about the passing of her close friend, Netiporn Sanesangkhom. Both of them shared a ward at the Corrections Department’s hospital.
Arjaree said that officials from the institution have been assigned to Thammasat University Hospital to look after the activist, who is facing lèse majesté charges.
Regarding other political activists detained on remand, the Corrections Department is considering separating them from other inmates.
According to the department’s hospital, Tantawan has already starting eating again and her health has improved, although she remains weak.
Tantawan staged a hunger strike during her detention, to demand reform of the justice system, an end to state sponsored legal action against those who share different political views and for all parties to support amendment of the lèse majesté law.
Krisadang Nutcharat, a lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), said that the significance of Netiporn’s death is the fact that she died while she was in the care of the Corrections Department.
Whether she could eat or not is not an important, he said, adding that, according to the Criminal Procedural Law, upon the death of an inmate or a detainee it is to be presumed that they died of unnatural causes and officials concerned could face criminal charges if they are found to have acted negligently.
Krisadang said all other political prisoners should be granted bail.
Read more : Tantawan Tuatulanon: The fearless young activist challenging Thai royalist establishment
