National—
At 7:00 PM, on May 14th, 2024, Thai national media reported about a group of political activists gathering at Ratchada Criminal Court for candlelight vigils in remembrance of Ms. Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom.
It was reported that a group of political activists, Mr. Rangsiman Rome from the Move Forward Party, and other party members attended the candlelight vigils and gave a public speech in remembrance of Bung.
Bung reportedly performed a dry hunger strike to protest against the justice system and to put an end to the detention of 44 Thai individuals who were charged with political crimes under Section 112 or Lese Majeste.
The citizens have the right and freedom to express their dissent with peaceful political views, said the activists. Nobody should be a political prisoner in a country of a democratic state ruled by law, the group added.
The group pleaded with the Thai government to release all political prisoners and provide amnesty to all people who were charged with Lese Majeste, according to the activist group.
Meanwhile, ambassadors from various countries in Europe including England, Belgium, the European Union, Germany, and other countries, expressed their sadness to the young political activist Netiporn “Bung”, and condolences to her family and loved ones.
They all wished that political conflict would not lead to the tragic death of another person, according to Thai national media.
In response to the incident, Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, the Minister of Justice, publicly revealed that the body of Bung must be autopsied transparently by the Thai Department of Corrections and Thammasat physicians to determine the exact cause of death within seven days.
The case was reported to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin accordingly who released a statement stating that he expressed his condolences and sorrows to the bereaved for Bung’s death and that the Thai Justice Ministry was “aware” of the calls by activists to release all imprisoned political activists.
Furthermore, the Move Forward Party (MFP) gave a public statement and expressed their sadness. The party asserted that in a democratic society, citizens’ rights and freedom of expression must be taken into account. No one should have to go to prison just because they hold a different political opinion. No one should be denied the right to bail guaranteed by the Constitution just because of their political views. And, no one should be forced to fight in ways that risk their lives.
All parties must work together to create a safe space to find a solution to political conflicts in the past and those that exist in the present, added the Move Forward Party.
In particular, Move Forward Party supported the full restoration of the right to bail for accused persons or defendants in political cases who were currently fighting cases.
The government should expedite consideration of the amnesty process for politically motivated cases and restore confidence in the justice system for all citizens, concluded the MFP.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
