Pro-democracy lawyer Arnon contracts Covid in jail
Detained pro-democracy activist Arnon Nampa has contracted the Covid-19 virus while in prison, the Department of Corrections said on Thursday.
Arnon, who has been in jail since February on charges of insulting the monarchy (lese majeste), is thought to have caught the virus from fellow detained protester Chukiat Sangwong, who tested positive on April 23.
Arnon, a 36-year-old human rights lawyer, is being treated in the prison hospital after his infection was confirmed on Wednesday, said the department.
Several protest leaders have been in jail for weeks on charges of lese majeste and sedition, with bail pleas repeatedly turned down.
Protest leader Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak is being treated in the same prison hospital as Arnon.
Parit, 22, was rushed to Ramathibodi Hospital suffering from fatigue after weeks on hunger strike in protest against detainment.
The department said he had recovered well enough to be moved to the prison hospital and was now able to consume milk, vitamins and electrolyte.
The lawyer for Parit and fellow protest leader Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul, 22, is due to make another request for bail in court today.