Chulalongkorn, Thammasat students push for freeing 21 political detainees

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

CHULALONGKORN AND THAMMASAT university students have today (Jan.20) begun to move in support of a resolute call for unconditional, immediate release of 21 detained political activists.

Large banners were spotted dangling from some buildings in the premises of Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan campus with statements encouraging students to pay attention to politics, to not bow to unjust rules and to support the persistent call for freedom for the 21 political detainees, nine of whom have been prosecuted under the draconic lese majeste law, better known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, whilst the others have been slapped with sedition charges.

Endorsing the Chulalongkorn and Thammasat students’ latest move going on inside their respective campuses in support of the immediate release of those political detainees were the United Front of Thammasat & Demonstration and Thai Lawyers For Human Rights Group.

The latest move in pursuit of freedom for those political detainees was apparently made in response to the current, appalling event in which a couple of young woman activists, namely Tantawan Tuatulanond and Orawan Pupong, have been staging a severe hunger strike by not only doing without meals but denying drinking water provided at the Central Women Correctional Institution where they are currently detained on lese majeste charges.

However, doctors have examined the fatigue and other physical conditions of the young hunger strikers today to determine whether they may need to be hospitalised sooner or later.

On Monday, Tantawan and Orawan staged a roadside protest outside the Criminal Court against the detainment of those political activists with the highlighted pouring of red dye which they used to virtually represent blood onto their head and body.

The couple of young woman activists who have been given lese majeste charges managed to revoke the bail earlier provided for them and were finally returned to jail.

Some of the 21 suspects have been reportedly put behind bars for more than 200 days, pending the time-consuming court proceedings.

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Top and Front Page: Some of the banners put up at Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities encouraging students to pay attention to politics. Photos: Matichon

Below: Tantawan Tuatulanond and Orawan Pupong are holding a severe hunger strike after a roadside protest where they pour red dye, representing blood, over their head and body. Photos: Matichon