Tai Panitan Pruksakasemsuk is the son of Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, a well known labor activist currently on trial accused of breaking Thailand’s lèse majestélaw. Somyot has been in prison since April 2011, and has been moved across Thailand for a series of prosecution witness hearings. Despite the process putting undue pressure on Somyot’s health and security, the courts have consistently denied him bail which is a denial of his basic human right to defend himself against unfair accusations.
In response to this continued denial of his father’s rights, Tai will be carrying out a hunger strike for 112 hours, the number of the lèse majesté law, Article 112 of Criminal Code. Tai will start on 4pm on the 11th February until 8am on the 16th February at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Please act now by sending your protest letter to the Thai government and the Thai Embassy in London calling for the immediate release of Somyot.
To read an interview with Tai on the eve of his action see http://prachatai.com/english/node/3048
Protest schedule
11 Feb 2012 – Tai begins his hunger strike at 4 PM in front of criminal court , Bangkok
13 Feb 2012 – Tai and other supporters will shave their hair in protest at Somyot’s court hearing and supporters will attend the next court hearing in Songkla province
14 Feb 2012 - Valentine event - Tai's friends will give roses, sticker campaign to court visitors
15 Feb 2012 - Friends and interested persons join hunger strike from 6 AM to 6 PM
16 Feb 2012 - Tai will visit Somyot at Bangkok Remand Prison and hand over the letters to the Minister of Justice and the Thai Human Rights Committee.
