Protests erupted over the death of an anti-monarchy activist who died while on hunger strike in jail in Thailand.

Members of pro-democracy group 'Thalu Fah' rallied at the Government House in Bangkok to denounce the death of Netiporn Sanesangkhom, 28, who died while detained for allegedly insulting the country's monarchy.

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.

Netiporn's death sparked fury, grief, and renewed calls for justice reform. Bizarrely, Thailand is currently running for a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The Thalu Fah group said it has handed over a letter to Somkid Chueakong, Deputy Secretary General to the prime minister, demanding an investigation into Netiporn's death and urging bail and amnesty for political prisoners.

Thalu Fah leader Panusaya 'Rung' Sithijirawattanakul said: 'I am worried that the Department of Corrections Hospital will not release security camera footage when Netiporn was taken to Thammasat University Hospital.

'I also question the CPR process. I feel saddened by the loss of a political activist that occurred during the government under PM Srettha Thavisin.'

Meanwhile, Thai Priminister Srettha Thavisin said he has ordered a probe into Netiporn's death.

He said: 'It is sad about the loss of life... and I want to extend my condolences to the family. I have instructed the justice ministry to investigate details about her death.'

Netiporn, was one of the leaders of the 'Tha Lu Wang' group, which roughly translates to 'break through the palace'.

She was charged under two cases of Thailand's draconic lese majeste law, including one for conducting a public poll on royal motorcades, which see traffic halted across the city when members of the Royal Family go outside.

Thailand is said to have the 'world's harshest lese majeste law' with up to 15 years imprisonment for each count.

Critics said broad interpretations of what constitutes an insult to monarchy allow authorities to wield the law against government opponents.

Offenders face lengthy jail terms, with a number of people being exiled or mysteriously disappearing.