Rights group seeks bail for sick activist

Ekachai Hongkangwan and co-defendants in custody pending final appeal to Supreme Court

A rights group has called on a House committee to support bail for detained political activist Ekachai Hongkangwan, citing serious health concerns and fears his case could mirror past controversial deaths in custody linked to inadequate medical treatment.

The People’s Amnesty Network (PAN) submitted a petition yesterday to Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP from the opposition People’s Party and chairman of the House Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice and Human Rights.

Ekachai has been in custody since the Court of Appeal on Sept 5 last year overturned a Criminal Court acquittal and sentenced him to 21 years in prison on charges of attempting to endanger the liberty of Her Majesty the Queen.

Nattathida Meewangpla, representing PAN, said activists have visited Ekachai weekly since his detention and that repeated requests for temporary release had been denied.

Ekachai, 50, first sought permission for a medical examination at the Corrections Hospital on Sept 28 last year but was not transferred there until late March.

Multiple strokes

Subsequent examinations found he was suffering from an enlarged prostate, enlarged liver and spleen, while he also reportedly suffered multiple strokes in April.

PAN questioned why treatment had not continued following the diagnosis and called for his transfer to Rajavithi Hospital or Thammasat University Hospital, arguing the Corrections Hospital lacks the specialist facilities needed for his care.

The group also raised concerns Ekachai’s case could resemble that of Ampon Tangnoppakul, known as “Akong”, who died in prison in 2012 while serving a sentence for lese-majeste and computer crime offences.

In May 2024, activist Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom, 28, died while on a hunger strike behind bars to protest against the denial of bail for dozens of people charged with political offences.

The PAN activists said their campaign was aimed not only at helping Ekachai but also at ensuring access to healthcare for all inmates.

Noraset Nanongtoom, an adviser to the committee chairman, said prisoners are entitled to healthcare under Section 55 of the Corrections Act.

The Department of Corrections has the authority to transfer inmates to outside hospitals when specialised treatment is required or prison-based care is insufficient.

Mr Rangsiman said access to healthcare for prisoners should be guaranteed as a matter of principle, adding all inmates deserve adequate treatment regardless of their background.

Motorcade incident

Ekachai is one of five people who had their acquittals overturned on appeal in September 2025 and were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 16 to 21 years for obstructing a royal motorcade during a pro-democracy protest in October 2020.

They have appealed to the Supreme Court, which denied their request for bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

The charges were laid under the rarely used Section 110 of the Criminal Code — endangering the safety of the Queen — that allows for the death sentence in the most egregious cases.

The Court of First Instance, in its acquittal ruling in 2023, cited witness testimony indicating that everyone — police and protesters included — appeared to have been caught off-guard by the sudden appearance of the motorcade approaching Phitsanulok Road near Government House.

In the resulting confusion, as police tried to gain control of the situation, demonstrators directed their anger against the police, not the royal procession, witnesses said.