After going on a month-long hunger strike, a Thai activist who was accused of disparaging the nation’s monarchy passed away while incarcerated.
Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom passed away on Tuesday morning, according to officials, after her heart “stopped suddenly”.
The 28-year-old, a member of a youth movement advocating for royal reforms, has been in custody since January 26 and is being prosecuted on seven counts, two of which involve insulting the monarchy.
The following day, she started her hunger strike; she wouldn’t accept food or drink until late February.
Ms. Sanesangkhom called for modifications to Thailand’s infamous lese majeste law, which makes disparaging remarks about the royal family illegal.
She had been detained on a contempt of court charge at first, and her custody was prolonged following her bail in a different lese-majeste case.
