Activists ‘Tawan’,’Bam’ end hunger strike

Activists 'Tawan','Bam' end hunger strike

Pro-democracy activists Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Orawan “Bam” Phupong ended their hunger strike yesterday after 52 days to receive life-saving treatment.

They are now under the attention of doctors at Thammasat University Hospital, according to a statement released on their behalf yesterday.

Doctors and medical staff were concerned about their kidneys and other organs because they had gone long periods without food and, on some occasions, water.

Tantawan

Orawan

Ms Tantawan, 21, and Ms Orawan, 23, wanted to make their decision to end the hunger strike known to the public.

The women are conscious and responsive. However, even though they are no longer at risk of life-threatening conditions, they still need medical treatment.

Ms Tantawan, a student, and Ms Orawan, a grocer, began their hunger strike on Jan 18. The main focus was the release of 16 people detained pending trial on charges that stemmed from the anti-government protests that began in mid-2020.