THAILAND Thai activists on hunger strike against lese majesty

The young Tawan and Bam had been arrested for posting criticism on social networks against the traffic blockades that accompany the movements of the royal family. They have refused to eat for 20 days and have been hospitalized. As a backdrop, the political games ahead of the May 7 elections, where the opposition to the pro-military parties is regaining consensus and visibility in the polls.

Bangkok () – Two young Thai human rights activists have been arrested on charges of “lèse majesté against the royal family” and have been on a hunger strike for 20 days. The initiative continues despite the deterioration of health conditions and the consequent bail offered by the judges at the request of the hospital where they were admitted on Monday.

Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Orawan “Bam” Phuphong, aged 21 and 23, were arrested on January 16 as a result of a case against them that was opened last year because they asked on Facebook to reconsider the traffic closures that they usually accompany the movements of members of the royal family. In the last hours they ratified their decision to continue the protest, although they accepted intravenous hydration. They also insisted on their demands: reform of the judicial system, release of political prisoners awaiting trial, and support from all political parties for the repeal of Art.112 of the Penal Code, referring to the crime of lèse majesté. It is a legal instrument that was created to protect the monarchy, but it has long been used against critics of the system, sentencing them to harsh prison terms.

A third hunger striker, who could also receive 15 years in jail under the same law, was forcibly hospitalized last week because his conditions had deteriorated. Eight other young protesters, all from the Thau Gas group and accused of throwing firecrackers during an anti-government demonstration two years ago in Bangkok, were denied parole on Monday, also leading to Tawan and Bam to continue their protest at a delicate moment for the country.

Meanwhile, the political games continue ahead of the May 7 elections. The pro-military and pro-monarchist parties -divided in turn regarding the main candidates- will try to consolidate their control over the National Assembly, while their opponents, gathered around the Pheu Thai party, seem to be regaining consensus and visibility. The current head of government, Prayut Chan-ocha -former general at the head of the May 2014 coup that returned the country to de facto control of the armed forces-, has already proposed his candidacy for a newly created party, in contrast with other soldiers who also went into politics but stayed in Palang Pracharat, the party they had formed and which currently leads the government coalition.

The opposition in the streets, led by student groups, is also determined to delegitimize the role of the military, who have repeatedly shown that they have no intention of leaving the scene and continue to trust their “mandate” as guarantors of stability. In this sense, they also present themselves as defenders of the monarchical institution, whose role and necessity, in a country that would require profound social and economic reforms, is being questioned by said movements.