A monarchy reform activist in Thailand dies in detention after a monthslong hunger strike

By NAPAT KONGSAWAD
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — A young Thai activist who went on a hunger strike after being jailed for advocating reform of the country’s monarchy system has died in a prison hospital. Netiporn Sanesangkhom was a member of an activist group known for bold and aggressive campaigns demanding reform of the monarchy and abolition of the law that makes it illegal to defame members of the royal family. She appears to be the first political activist in Thailand to die from a hunger strike. The Corrections Department said Netiporn suffered cardiac arrest early Tuesday. Other activists decried her death and repeated her call for bail to be granted in cases involving political offenses.