May 15, 2024
BANGKOK – The Corrections Department said Netiporn went into cardiac arrest at the Central Correctional Hospital at about 6.20am and medical staff continued to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for about five hours but to no avail.
“She was moved to Thammasat Hospital and staff from both places did their best to save the patient’s life. However, she did not respond to CPR and died peacefully at 11.22am,” the department said.
Expressing condolences to the late activist’s relatives, the department said it will conduct an autopsy to seek the real cause of death.
“Justice Minister [Pol Colonel Thawee Sodsong] has ordered that a committee be set up to investigate the issue,” the department said.
Thammasat Hospital said the patient was shifted from the Correctional Hospital as soon as she stopped showing vital signs.
“The institute staff were performing CPR on her until she arrived at the hospital at 6.23am,” the Thammasat statement said.
Upon arrival, she was immediately shifted to the emergency room in the Kittiwattana Building, it said.
“The physician in charge found no vital signs or even a pulse, but the staff continued performing CPR in line with medical standards to try to save the patient’s life,” the hospital said.
“The hospital is waiting to conduct an autopsy to seek the cause of death in line with laws,” it added.
Netiporn’s two fellow activists, Natthanon “Frank” Chaimahabud and Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon, are also continuing their hunger strikes though it has been reported that they have started accepting some liquids and medications.