20 September 2024

A lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Krisadang Nutcharat, has voiced his objection to the Corrections Department’s demand that political activist Tantawan Tuatulanon wear an electronic monitoring bracelet while she is still in hospital.

Tantawan was granted bail yesterday by the Criminal Court. She is on remand on charges under §116 of the Criminal Court, for sounding a car horn at and trying to block a Royal motorcade on a Bangkok expressway in February.

She has been treated at Thammasat University Hospital since last Friday.

Krisadang said that it is inappropriate to have Tantawan subjected to wearing an ankle bracelet, as she is still in a serious condition due to her prolonged hunger strike, adding the requirement is, however, at the discretion of corrections officials.

Sahakarn Petnarin, director-general of the Corrections Department, said that, since the case against Tantawan has not yet gone to trial, it is the responsibility of the Probation Department to put the electronic monitoring device on her leg.

Krisadang said he will apply for bail for the activist with the Pathumwan District Court today, in a case concerning a protest during the APEC meeting in Bangkok in 2019.