PUBLISHED : 25 Feb 2024 at 04:00
The father of activist Tantawan Tuatulanon — who is now on hunger strike — has promised he will persuade his daughter to steer clear of any political activities if she is granted bail.
Sommai Tuatulanon made his comment as he sought a third bail request with the Criminal Court yesterday for his 22-year-old daughter, who is being held in custody by Din Daeng police on charges linked to the honking of a car during a royal motorcade on Feb 4.
Mr Sommai’s bail request also extended to 23-year-old Natthanon “Frank” Chaimahabut. He faces five charges, including violating Section 116 of the Computer Crime Act, honking a car horn in violation of the Traffic Act and insulting officers.
Mr Sommai said if the bail request was approved, he would see to it that Ms Tantawan steers clear of any political campaigns and resumes her studies.
Ms Tantawan and Mr Natthanon have been on a hunger strike after their arrest in connection with the motorcade honking incident. Their requests for temporary release were earlier denied. Their conditions have deteriorated.
Mr Sommai said he visited his daughter at Thammasat University Hospital on Friday and found she was thin and limited to whispering hoarsely. Mr Natthanon was also in a bad shape. He was suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition.
Both were too weak to even pass on a message to their supporters, he said.
On Feb 4, both Ms Tantawan and Mr Natthanon, with the latter behind the wheel, were on their way back from the funeral of a fellow member of the Thulu Wang activist group when they came across the royal motorcade on an expressway.
Their encounter with the motorcade was coincidental, Mr Sommai said, adding the pair had no intention to cause any disturbance since there was no way they could have known the motorcade was passing that way.
Also, Mr Sommai said a motorcade would typically drive at a high speed, which the pair’s car would not have been able to keep up with.
Although he admitted the pair exhibited aggressive behaviour and were verbally hostile towards security officers, he noted they could not have been capable of doing harm to anyone under the circumstances.
If the two had been violent, officers at the scene would have been able to take measures to control the situation, Mr Sommai added.
Arjaree Srisunakrua, acting director of the Central Women’s Correctional Institution, said Ms Tantawan’s condition is not critical. Her blood sugar level, pulse and blood pressure were normal.
She is under close observation at Thammasat University Hospital and will be returned to detention once her condition improves.
As for Netiporn “Boong” Saneysangkhom, another activist on hunger strike, Ms Arjaree said she is lethargic although she can perform simple tasks alone.