2 activists get bail as lives at risk

The Criminal Court yesterday approved a petition submitted by the director of Thammasat University Hospital to provide bail for two female political activists whose health condition is rated as critical after they went on a hunger strike on Jan 18.

Blood tests on Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Orawan “Bam” Phupong, the two activists who were recently admitted to the hospital for healthcare, showed extremely high levels of ketone which doctors worried posed a threat to their lives, said an informed source.

Following yesterday’s court decision, Krisadang Nutcharus, a lawyer with the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, said the two activists had insisted on continuing with their hunger strike.

When they returned to prison, they began their hunger strike demanding the country’s judicial system be reformed to ensure human rights and freedom of expression.

They also demanded an end to legal action against those who express political opinions freely and that all political parties commit to putting an end to Sections 112 and 116, which legally codify the rules on lese majeste and sedition, respectively.