Thai activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom dies after hunger strike

A Thai activist accused of insulting the country’s monarchy has died in detention following a months-long hunger strike.

Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom died after her heart “stopped suddenly” on Tuesday morning, officials said.

The 28-year-old, part of a youth movement calling for royal reforms, had been detained since 26 January, facing seven separate charges – including two of insulting the monarchy.

She began her hunger strike the next day, only accepting water once again in late February, and food from April.

Ms Sanesangkhom was demanding reform of Thailand’s justice system, including changes to the notorious lese majeste law, which criminalises critical comment about the royal family.

She had initially been held on a contempt of court charge, with her detention extended after bail in a separate lese-majeste case was revoked.

Ms Sanesangkhom was accused in two cases of lese-majeste case, one relating asking the public’s views on the disruption caused by royal motorcades.

If found guilty, Ms Sanesangkhom – a judge’s daughter who previously worked as a tutor – was facing up to 15 years in prison for each charge.

Thailand has some of the strictest lese-majeste laws in the world. According to legal aid group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, around 260 charges have been filed under the lese-majeste law since 2020.

Earlier this year, a man was jailed for 50 years under the law – the longest ever sentence handed down.