Ekachai Hongkangwan is an ordinary citizen who suddenly emerged as a “secret figure” on Thailand’s political scene after the 2006 coup, which not only reshaped the course of Thai politics but also irreversibly altered his life. Despite being detained several times and facing repeated death threats for his symbolic acts of resistance, Ekachai remained relentless in pursuing his activism.

His deteriorating health in custody highlights a broader issue: access to medical care — a fundamental human right — which remains deeply flawed for prisoners in Thailand. For many inmates, the life of someone behind bars appears to be considered far less valuable than a life outside prison. The issue is even more poignant for so-called ‘prisoners of conscience,’ whose alleged crimes continue to be widely questioned.

Ekachai’s 20-year journey

After graduating from a private university, Ekachai made a living by selling online lottery tickets, but the 2006 coup turned his life upside down. His only source of income disappeared after the online lottery project was cancelled.

Previously uninterested in politics, Ekachai gradually began to be keen on it and engaged in a process of self-studying in politics in both Thai and English.

He first came into the spotlight on 11 March 2011 after he was arrested during a protest organised by the "Daeng Siam" (Siam Red) group led by disappeared Thai political critic Surachai Sae-dan.

This incident led to his first charge under Thailand’s draconian law — royal defamation. The charge stemmed from two items he was selling at the protest: a CD of a documentary by the Australian media outlet ABC discussing Thai politics, which included rumours about the then Crown Prince, currently King Vajiralongkorn, and a collection of WikiLeaks documents.

Ekachai revealed that his intention was merely to disseminate information from the perspective of foreign media to Thais so that they could understand how Thailand was perceived internationally. In addition, Thai society at the time was deeply polarised, and he believed that the Thai media was failing to fulfil its duty.

Ekachai spent two years fighting his first royal defamation case. He was granted provisional bail during the trial. However, the Court refused to summon high-ranking officials, including Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, to testify.

On 28 March 2013, he was sentenced to two years and four months. In 2015, the Supreme Court overturned the initial verdict, sentencing Ekachai to two years and eight months in prison. He was sent to prison.

After his release, Ekachai remained active through his writing. His work ranged from historical research, a series of proposals for military reform, and memoirs about his life in prison from every angle.

During political suppression under the National Council for Peace and Order, he did not abandon activism. The most prominent campaign was his relentless effort to push for an investigation into the luxury wristwatch scandal, which involved Gen Pravit Wongsuwan. His activism was carried out in his distinctive individual style.

Between 2017 and 2019, he was physically assaulted and threatened with death six times, and his car was set on fire twice. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Ekachai faced 30 cases, most of which were concluded. He has been sent to prison seven times.

He revealed in 2019 that his approach to activism differed from traditional protest movements. The old approach of mobilising tens or hundreds of thousands of people ended up with a crackdown. For him, large protests were difficult to control.

“So activism does not have to use solely rallies. The election results have already clearly shown that people no longer support large protests that shut down the streets. We have to find other ways. I prefer going alone and making it the news,” said Ekachai

His most recent case exposed another significant issue. Ekachai faced a charge under Section 110 of the Criminal Code concerning an act of violence against the liberty of the Queen.

This charge had not been pressed against anyone for at least two or three decades. It carries a severe penalty of up to life imprisonment or a prison term of 16-20 years, regardless of whether the offence was completed or merely attempted.

The case stemmed from a protest on 14 October 2020 when the mass pro-democracy protests, led by young people, erupted across the country. On that day, protesters gathered at the Democracy Monument before marching toward Government House.

Some protesters arrived earlier and waited near the Government House. At the same time, the Queen’s royal motorcade passed through. They did not block the motorcade or throw objects at the passing vehicles, but they faced the charge of violence against the liberty of the Queen.

According to Dusit Police Station, the road used was not part of the royal motorcade’s usual route, but the motorcade chose it, despite being advised to use alternative roads as the protest was taking place near Government House.

No announcement was made. Awareness among officials across different agencies and operational levels varied significantly. A crowd control officer even testified that he was informed less than five minutes before the royal motorcade arrived.

On 28 June 2023, the Court of First Instance acquitted them, concluding that the incident was a misunderstanding caused by the police. Two years later, however, the Appeal Court reversed the initial verdict, ruling that they were aware that there would be a royal motorcade, and they intended to obstruct it.

Four defendants were sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Ekachai was sentenced to 21 years and four months due to his prior royal defamation conviction. Ekachai now has been detained for six months.

Ekachai’s health has deteriorated in prison. He suffers from an enlarged prostate and severe abdominal pain in the area where he had previously undergone surgery for a liver abscess. It is reported that he may require another major operation.

His lawyer requested his transfer to the Corrections Hospital, but the request was initially rejected. The Corrections Department insisted that he would be transferred on Wednesday (11 March).

Following the case, standards for inmates’ access to medical care in Thai prisons were widely questioned.

Last year, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was transferred to a hospital on his first night in prison due to a reportedly serious illness after returning from self-imposed exile.

He was later moved to the Police Hospital rather than being treated at the Corrections Hospital, where ordinary inmates are typically sent. The incident sparked a public backlash against Thaksin, as well as the judicial and correctional systems, amid widespread belief that he had received special treatment as part of a political deal with those in power. Some believed that Thaksin faked his illness to avoid detention in prison.

Ekachai’s life is now hanging by a thread. Two Thai ‘prisoners of conscience’ have suffered death in custody after their health deteriorated while waiting for proper medical treatment.

His case now marks another serious challenge for the Corrections Department.