Siraphop’s fast

Clipped from Prachatai

On 23 February, PPT posted on activist Siraphop Phumphuengphut, who is detained in prison pending an appeal on a lese majeste conviction. That conviction related to a speech given at a protest on 18 November 2020. He was convicted on 25 March 2024, and he was sentenced to prison for three years, reduced to two years for “useful testimony.”

After 333 days on 21 February 2025, denied bail 14 times, he began a hunger strike.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reports that on 3 March 2025, a lawyer visited the 24 year-old on the 11th day of his fast. Siraphop had been sent to the Corrections Department hospital from 26 February.

The lawyer found him thinner, lacking energy, and slow to respond. The lawyer also noticed that his fingers have a purple hue at the ends, and his fingernails seemed darkened.

Siraphop said his blood pressure remained normal but that he did have dizzy spells and had difficulty focusing his eyes. His urine is dark and his weight has reduced from 73.3 to about 67.5kg.

Doctors have been monitoring him. They report his blood tests on 1 March were “normal,” and he’s had an ointment prescribed for a rash.

He’s due back in court today.