Last Thursday (8 August), pro-democracy activists gathered in front of the Bangkok Remand Prison on what would have been the 29th birthday of activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom, who died in detention following a long hunger strike to demand the release of political prisoners, while her cause of death has yet to be explained by the authorities.

Protesters lighting candles in front of portrait of Netiporn. (Photo by Ginger Cat)

Activist Tantawan Tuatulanon, Netiporn’s friend and reportedly a witness when Netiporn suffered a cardiac arrest at the Corrections Hospital, spoke at the gathering. She said they were transferred back to the Corrections Hospital in the middle of summer. She recalled that, on 13 April, she and Netiporn were lying on the same hospital and laughed aloud out of the feeling that there was nothing they could do about their suffering but to keep going.

“I really cannot get over or accept it that [Netiporn] is not here today. It was a very short time that I feel like I got to know her more and got closer to her. Why is it such a pity that we don’t get to come out and get to know each other more and over a longer period of time, because we talked a lot that, if we get released, let’s go and live our lives,” Tantawan said.

Tantawan said that she and Netiporn promised each other that, if they were granted bail, they would study, work, go on trips, or go out to eat together, but her friend is now lost and justice has not been delivered.

“Even if today we can’t accept the reality that she is gone, but in every movement, every fight, every step of the journey, she will always be without and we will take her with us,” Tantawan said. “I don’t know if, at the end, we will get to the finish line, but I only know that she will be with us every step of the way.”

The activists placed flowers and lit candles in front of a portrait of Netiporn. They also lit fireworks and shouted “Reform the judicial system” and “Free our friends” – Netiporn’s demands during her hunger strike.

Netiporn died on 14 May after suffering cardiac arrest following a hunger strike to call for judicial system reform and the release of political dissidents. Her death certificate said that she died from heart failure and asphyxiation, while the autopsy concluded that the cause of death was acute heart failure, electrolyte imbalance, and cardiomegaly (enlarged heart). Her medical record from the Corrections Hospital, where she was held before her death, indicated that she had Re-feeding Syndrome, a condition caused by a severe shift in electrolytes when a person who is malnourished begins feeding again.

The 28-year-old activist was held in pre-trial detention on a royal defamation charge since 26 January, when her bail was revoked.  She had been on a hunger strike since 27 January.

According to a statement issued on 31 July by Krisadang Nutcharus, Netiporn’s lawyer, evidence suggests that she died at the Corrections Hospital on the morning of 14 May. CCTV footage from her ward shows that the resuscitation performed on her was not in accordance with medical standards, and no standard medical equipment was used. It was also questionable why she was transferred to Thammasat University Hospital, which is further away from other hospitals, despite clear evidence that she had no vital signs.

Krisadang said that the Ministry of Justice has not conducted a thorough investigation into Netiporn’s death and that the law enforcement agencies responsible for examining and seeking accountability in Netiporn's death have also not taken any action. He called on the investigative committee of the Ministry of Justice to expedite the investigation and promptly disclose all findings to the public and relevant parties before the court inquest into Netiporn’s death proceeds.