A Thai student activist is in a critical condition in hospital – more than a month into a hunger strike. She was arrested in February on charges of harassing the royal family's motorcade. Human rights advocates warn the country is suppressing freedom of expression.

Bangkok

A Thai student activist finds herself in a dire situation, being in critical condition in a hospital following an extended hunger strike exceeding a month. Her protest commenced shortly after her arrest in February, where she faced charges related to the harassment of the royal family's motorcade. This incident has drawn attention from human rights advocates globally, raising concerns about the suppression of freedom of expression within the country. They argue that this case is indicative of a broader issue regarding the limitation of personal freedoms and speech.



Thai royal protester on hunger strike in a critical condition

In Bangkok's Temasar Hospital, a mother weeps for her 22-year-old daughter, who is gaunt and pale. Tanthawan Tuatulamon, known as Tawan, and her colleague Nathanon have been on a hunger strike since they were remanded in custody in mid-February on charges of sedition. Tawan's lawyer says she is weak and feverish, but will not accept medical treatment. She's not my first client who did this and I'm sure she's not going to be the last one. And I think that all the reasons are very similar. It's just about normal justice. The sedition charges relate to an incident in early February when the pair repeatedly sounded their car horn as a royal motorcade carrying Thailand's princess, Mahachakri Serindhon, was passing. They also argued with an officer when they were stopped and later said they did not realise it was the royal motorcade. A lawyer for Tawan, a law student and activist campaigning for reform of the monarchy, says the offence should be considered a misdemeanour. The Prime Minister's office said after the incident that such actions set a bad example for others and young people must respect traditions. Earlier that month, Tawan organised a public survey asking people what they thought about royal motorcades. Violence broke out when royalist supporters confronted activists conducting the poll. Tawan was already facing charges for insulting royals after she discussed the royal motorcade case. Human rights organisations say nearly 2,000 people in Thailand have been prosecuted since 2020 over exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Human rights watch, we have not seen significant improvement regarding respect for fundamental freedoms, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly. People are still being prosecuted. People are being sent to jail and denied their bail. And we have Thai people fleeing the country. Rights groups say Thai authorities use broad and vague articles in the criminal code related to security to prosecute activists and this case should not be considered sedition. Tawan has said she will not stop her hunger strike until her voice is heard and Thailand's justice system is reformed. Jessica Washington, Al Jazeera.

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