Pro-democracy protesters held a minute of silence to mourn the passing of a political activist who died in jail after a hunger strike.
The demonstrators gathered at at Democracy Monument in Khon Kaen, Thailand, on May 14 at 7 PM to mourn Netiporn Sanesangkhom, 28, who died earlier in the day.
They lit candles and observed a moment of silence for 1.12 minutes in honour of Netiporn, who was caged under the country's notorious lese majeste law.
Paisal Ampim, the representative of the artist group, stated: 'I gathered today to mourn and lit candles to bid farewell to our friend who passed away while still under the judicial process and had not yet been judged.
'From January 27, she went on a hunger strike in jail for bail release rights, with two proposals including reforming the justice system and ensuring that people with different political opinions are not imprisoned.
'We received the news of her passing this morning, so various groups in Khon Kaen decided to hold an activity to bid her farewell.
'From now on, everyone will continue fighting in our own way, and we hope that the proceedings in the National Assembly will remain our hope to address many of our proposals that we are fighting for, such as bail release rights for those still under the judicial process and awaiting judgment.'
Netiporn Sanesangkhom 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.
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, which remains the richest in the world with an estimated 70 billion dollars in assets.