Thai prime minister promises investigation after activist died in detention

By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s prime minister offered his condolences to the family of a young activist who died in detention after a monthslong hunger strike, amid a public debate on the country’s justice system. Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom, 28, died on Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest while she was being detained at Bangkok’s Central Women’s Correctional Institution on charges that included defaming the monarchy. She had been on a hunger strike for several months while awaiting trial to protest her extended detention without trial. Her death has prompted calls for reviewing a judicial process that allows people accused of politically-motivated, nonviolent offenses to be held for extended periods ahead of trial.