An anti-junta activist has been released on bail after nearly two weeks of a hunger strike.
On Friday, 19 August 2016, Phu Khiao Provincial Court released Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, an anti-junta activist from the New Democracy Movement, from the prison of Phu Khiao District, in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum, reported Matichon Online.
Jatuphat was arrested on 6 August after handing out anti-draft charter flyers at a market in Phu Khiao and started a hunger strike shortly after the arrest. He was indicted under Article 61(2) of the the controversial Referendum Act for allegedly distributing materials that distorted the draft’s content.
According to Matichon Online, the court requested 150,000 baht as surety for bailing the activist but Jatuphat’s father offered 30,000 bahts together with his lawyer license as guarantee instead.
The court accepted his father's offer and released Jatuphat with a condition prohibiting him from traveling abroad.
In addition to Jatuphat, Wasin Phrommani, another pro-democracy activist, was also indicted of similar charge on the same day. He was arrested together with Jatuphat on 6 August but was granted bail two days later. Unlike Wasin, Jatuphat chose not to request for bail and staged a hunger strike in jail.
(from left to right) Jatuphat’s father, Jatuphat, and Wasin at a police station in Phu Khiao District (source: Matichon Online)
Latest Contents
Prachatai English is an independent, non-profit news outlet committed to covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite pressure from the authorities. Your support will ensure that we stay a professional media source and be able to meet the challenges and deliver in-depth reporting.
• Simple steps to support Prachatai English
1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank
2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”