Thai women activists on hunger strike against lèse-majesté
Tawan and Bam were arrested for protesting on social media against motorcades with members of the royal family running red lights. After refusing food in the past 20 days, they were hospitalised. Meanwhile, the country is getting ready for the 7 May elections. Surveys suggest that opposition parties are gaining ground on pro-military parties.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) – Two young Thai human rights activists arrested on charges of "lèse-majesté" have been on hunger strike for the past 20 days.
Despite their worsening health and the offer of bail following a request by the hospital where they were moved on Monday, the two have remained defiant and are continuing their initiative.
Tantawan "Tawan" Tuatulanon and Orawan "Bam" Phuphong, 21 and 23 respectively, were arrested on 16 January after charges were brought against them for complaining on Facebook that motorcades carrying members of the royal family were running red lights.
Although the two accepted to go on IV, they are determined to continue their protest until their demands are met, namely reform of the justice system, release of political prisoners awaiting trial, and repeal of Article 112 of the Penal Code on lèse-majesté.
Included to protect the monarchy, this article has long been used against critics of the system, with heavy sentences imposed to silence them.
A third hunger striker was hospitalised last week under duress when his conditions worsened. If convicted, he could get up to 15 years in prison under the same article.
Tawan and Bam were prompted to continue their protest after eight other young protesters, all members of the Thau Gas group, were denied parole on Monday. Their charge includes throwing firecrackers during an anti-government protest two years ago in Bangkok.
All this comes at a delicate time in the country’s history, as various parties and groups get ready for the 7 May elections.
While pro-military and pro-monarchist parties try to consolidate their control over the National Assembly despite rivalries over their main candidates, opposition groups seem to have coalesced around the Pheu Thai party and gained support and visibility.
Thailand’s current prime minister, former General Prayut Chan-ocha, is running with a newly created party, while other former military leaders have remained with the Palang Pracharat party, which they set up and which leads the outgoing coalition government.
In 2014, General Prayut Chan-ocha led a coup that put the country once again under military rule.
At present, the opposition is mostly in the streets, with student groups playing a leading role in trying to delegitimise the military. For their part, Thailand’s Armed Forces have shown no intention of leaving the political scene.
The military count on their “mandate” as guarantors of stability and guardians of the monarchy; however, the latter’s raison d’être has been challenged in a country that needs profound social and economic reforms.
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13/04/2023 17:33
14/10/2023 15:37
