A 57-year-old jailed pro-democracy activist faces serious health issues in detention in the Bangkok Remand Prison, raising concerns over the adequacy of medical care for detainees.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported that Chen Chiwobancha, a 57-year-old detainee who was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for royal defamation, was found to have serious health issues since last Friday (1 November). He informed his lawyer that he felt weak and experienced numbness throughout his entire left side.

On Wednesday (6 November), he showed symptoms, such as a drooping eyelid and mouth on the left side and numbness in his feet. These ongoing symptoms caused trouble in his daily life, making it difficult for him to chew or speak clearly.

Chen had previously requested a health check-up at the Corrections Hospital, but at that time, the Bangkok Remand Prison had not issued a transfer order.

After learning of Chen’s health problem, the lawyer on 6 November urged the prison to expedite his transfer to the hospital. Chen was transferred to the Corrections Hospital the following day. However, after a check-up, he was sent back to the prison, with a follow-up appointment scheduled for 13 November.

According to TLHR, the lawyer also plans to submit a bail request along with a petition to question the Corrections Department’s doctor and Chen’s personal doctor. Chen remains detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison until the court decides on his bail request.

The detainee said he was aware that medical treatment in prison was slow and not as good as that available outside, noting that all detainees face the same situation - when they fall ill, all they can do is wait. He asserted that detainees deserve the right to timely medical care.

Today (8 November), TLHR later reported that Chen was hospitalised and under close observation after it was found that he had suffered an ischemic stroke in the left side of his brain.

Chen, along with two other activists, were found guilty on four charges: royal defamation, contempt of court, defamation by publication, and unauthorised use of a sound amplifier. The charges stemmed from a protest on 28 July 2022 in front of the Bangkok South Criminal Court where participants demanded bail rights for two detained pro-democracy activists, Nutthanit Duangmusit and Netiporn Sanesangkhom, who later died during detention.

Chen has been detained since 18 September and was denied bail since the court deemed the case severe and was concerned that he might flee.