Sirapob Phumpheungphut, a student activist detained pending appeal on a royal defamation charge, has gone on a hunger strike after 333 days in detention and being repeatedly denied bail.

According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), Sirapob told a lawyer who visited him on Friday (21 February) that he is going on a hunger strike to protest his detention after being denied bail 14 times. He told the lawyer that he felt it was unfair, since he has never missed a court date and has filed an appeal. He also noted that others found guilty of royal defamation has been granted bail pending appeal, and said that he is not sure about the grounds on which the courts rule when granting bail.

In a message given to the lawyer, Sirapob wrote that he is putting his life on the line for change. He noted that a large number of people have been charged with royal defamation and many continue to be unjustly detained. Meanwhile, the law is being interpreted in an increasingly broad manner and used to silent critics. He called for the unconditional release of political prisoners and for the royal defamation law not to be used politically again.

Sirapob has been detained since 25 March 2024, after the South Bangkok Criminal Court found him guilty of royal defamation and sentenced him to 2 years in prison over a speech given at a protest on 18 November 2020 about the monarchy’s role in Thai politics.