Protesters gathered following the death of an anti-monarchy activist who went on hunger strike when she was jailed for less majeste.

Netiporn Sanesangkhom, 22, was caged at the Central Women's Correctional Institution in Bangkok on January 26 for contempt of court. On the same day, the court revoked her bail on a lese majeste charge over a protest that caused a minute disruption to a royal motorcade.

The young woman had been on hunger strike ever since and was transferred to the hospital wing. However, she died on Wednesday. State officials put her time of death at 11:22 - the symbolic number of the Section 112 law that bans criticism of royals she had campaigned against.

A statement claimed Netiporn had refused 'minerals and vitamins' given by the hospital

They added: 'She had a cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning and wasn't responsive to the treatment, which led her to die peacefully at 11.22 am.'

The death sparked condemnation of the 'Teflon' state, which makes more than 10 billion dollars a year from tourism revenue without the condemnation received by the likes of Saudi Arabia, North Korea or China.

British lecturer Andrew MacGregor Marshall, one of the most vocal critics of the Thai monarchy, said: 'The world is watching. Stop this mad persecution of young people who have a different view from the dinosaurs.'

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Ambassador Robert F. Godec said: 'We are saddened by the tragic death of Netiporn Sanesangkhom. We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends.'

Krisadang Nutcharat, a lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), said that Netiporn'a family received a call from an official at the Corrections Department's hospital at 6 am, informing them that Netiporn had fallen unconscious and that her heart had stopped beating, prompting medical personnel there to administer CPR.

He also said that he visited Netiporn in the hospital about a week ago and found that she had lost about 10kg in weight as a result of her hunger strike, adding that she complained of a headache, pains all over her body and swollen legs.

On February 2 this year, Netiporn prepared a will in which she left her possessions to Thanalop Phalanchai, a former political activist from the 'Thalu Wang' group. The list of bequests includes her cash and bank deposits, a wristwatch, earrings and her pet.

On February 8, Netiporn signed another document stating her intention to refuse any medical intervention to prolong her life and to donate her body to medical science at Thammasat University Hospital.

Thailand has become known for its strict defamation laws. Earlier this month, a British tourist was arrested for leaving one star reviews of a restaurant in Phuket.

In October 2020, an American tourist was arrested over a negative hotel review he posted on TripAdvisor.

He accused the Sea View Resort in Phuket of 'modern-day slavery'. He was subsequently detained and charged under Thailand's strict anti-defamation laws before apologising and being released.

The laws extend to banning free speech about the monarchy - the richest in the world with an estimated 70 billion dollars in assets - which has seen thousands of critics jailed, disappear mysteriously or forced into exile.