Lese Majeste Detainee on Hunger Strike Faces Critical Health Concerns

Mr. Phromsorn Veerathamjari, also known as “Fahlikit,” who is currently serving a life sentence, has been on a hunger strike since July 1 and stopped drinking water on August 31, demanding bail. In response, People’s MP Rangsiman Rome has stepped in to offer assistance. Rome, who chairs a House committee, has agreed to coordinate efforts to help Phromsorn, who is detained at Thanyaburi District Prison on charges of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law. The Corrections Department has affirmed that Phromsorn's health is being managed according to international standards, with prison hospital doctors closely monitoring him. His vital signs are currently normal, though he is experiencing slight fatigue due to hypoglycemia. Saline solution has been administered, and his condition is under continuous observation. Prison nurses and health volunteers are assigned to closely watch his symptoms. The department stated that if any changes occur or if external treatment is medically indicated, it will be promptly carried out according to doctors’ opinions. A psychological assessment found Phromsorn to be in normal mental health, capable of communication and daily activities. However, Ms. Kumklao Songsomboon, a lawyer and case manager at the Human Rights Lawyers Centre, has requested an investigation into Thanyaburi District Prison for not transferring Phromsorn to an outside medical facility. Phromsorn’s hunger strike is a peaceful protest demanding the right to bail for political prisoners charged under the lese majeste law. These individuals did not benefit from the amnesty law that came into effect on August 24, which covered hundreds of activists found guilty over the past 20 years but excluded those sentenced for corruption or violating the royal insult law. According to the lawyer, Phromsorn has suffered weight loss, shortness of breath, and difficulty walking, requiring assistance, due to the prolonged hunger strike exceeding two months. She has sent a letter to Thanyaburi District Prison requesting his transfer from the Correctional Department hospital to an external hospital with 24-hour medical care and emergency equipment, to prevent a tragedy similar to that of Ms. Netiporn Sanesangkhom, or “Bung,” who died in prison on May 15, 2024, after a 110-day hunger strike while pressing her demand for bail. MP Rangsiman expressed concern, citing Netiporn’s case. As chairman of the House Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights, he intends to discuss the issue with the committee to find a solution. Several letters have been sent by the lawyers' center to Thanyaburi prison from July to the end of August without a response. Rome’s committee will follow up and discuss ways to resolve the issue, with the primary goal of preventing further loss of life, especially given the current critical state of dehydration, which limits the time for a solution. Information Source: Thai Newsroom