The Thanyaburi Provincial Court postponed yesterday’s (13 January) inquest into the death of detained activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom after two witnesses were unable to attend and the victim’s family lawyers sought a postponement to examine and obtain additional evidence.

A doctor from the Corrections Hospital who allegedly treated Netiporn during resuscitation, and a doctor who examined her at Thammasat University Hospital were immediately unable to attend the hearing.

Lawyers representing Netiporn’s family then filed a request for postponement so they can review the evidence submitted by the public prosecutor, stating that the file was not submitted ahead of the hearing and they did not have time to look over them.

The lawyers also asked the Court to issue a warrant for the CCTV footage from the Corrections Hospital from 3.00 – 9.00 of 14 May 2024, when Netiporn reportedly went into cardiac arrest, CCTV footage from Thammasat University Hospital from when Netiporn arrived in an ambulance, and the results of her postmortem brain and lung CT scans.

In response, the Court postponed the hearing to 3 March, allowing for the evidence to be examined and obtained, after which subsequent witness examination hearings will be scheduled.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) noted that the Thanyaburi Provincial Court closed its gate and around 30 police officers were stationed at the entrance. A number of court marshals were stationed near the courtroom. Observers were told to leave their mobile phones outside the room. The officials also searched their bags and checked them for weapons.

The hearing was attended by members of the public, activists, journalists, and civil society organization representatives. Sasinan Thamnithinan, a lawyer-turned-MP from the People’s Party, was also in attendance.

28-year-old Netiporn died on 14 May 2024 while detained at the Corrections Hospital after a long hunger strike to demand judicial reform and an end to the detention of political dissidents. She was being held in pre-trial detention on a royal defamation charge after the South Bangkok Criminal Court revoked her bail on 26 January 2024 for participating in a protest at the Ministry of Culture on 6 August 2023. At the same time, she was also serving a 1-month prison sentence for a contempt of court charge.

Netiporn was pronounced dead at Thammasat University Hospital, where she had been transferred from the Corrections Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. However, it was unclear whether Netiporn died while detained at the Corrections Hospital or at Thammasat University Hospital. Records obtained from Thammasat University Hospital stated that Netiporn had no vital signs upon arrival at 9.30 on 14 May, and that doctors found that an endotracheal tube had been placed in her esophagus instead of her windpipe. The placement of the tube is believed to be a major cause of her death, although there could be other reasons. Meanwhile, Netiporn’s medical records obtained from the Corrections Hospital diagnosed her with Refeeding Syndrome, a condition caused by a severe shift in electrolytes when a person who is malnourished begins feeding again.

Ahead of yesterday’s hearing, a group of activists visited the Pheu Thai Party headquarters, the Medical Council, and the Ministry of Justice on their way to the Thanyaburi Provincial Court to observe the hearing. They filed letters inviting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a representative of the Medical Council, and Minister of Justice Tawee Sodsong to attend the hearing.