Another Thai protest leader says has COVID-19 after weeks in jail

Another Thai protest leader says has COVID-19 after weeks in jail
Another Thai protest leader says has COVID-19 after weeks in jail Copyright (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Click For Restrictions - https://agency.reuters.com/en/copyright.html
By Reuters
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Another leader from Thailand's anti-government protest movement has tested positive for the coronavirus after spending eight weeks in jail pending trial on charges of insulting the country's powerful king.

Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul, who was freed on bail last week from pre-trial detention, said on her Twitter account that she was being treated in a hospital after testing positive for the virus following her release.

Two others from the protest movement, including human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa and Chukiat "Justin" Saengowng, who remain in detention, have also tested positive for COVID-19.

Panusaya said she did not have any symptoms and had tested negative while in prison on April 22. After her release, she stayed home for three days before getting tested.

Her case comes as Thailand reported a new daily record of 34 coronavirus deaths as authorities try to tackle a third wave of infections in the Southeast Asian country.

Two other protesters who received bail a day earlier, including Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, have yet to announce if they have been tested for the virus.

Parit was hospitalised two weeks ago due to deteriorating health caused by a hunger strike. He is accused of various violations, including sedition and insulting the monarchy.

Panusaya also took part in the hunger strike with Parit.

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat ThepgumpanatWriting by Kay JohnsonEditing by Ed Davies)

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Italy raises security alert level for Easter weekend following Moscow attacks

Prime Ministers of Poland and Ukraine make progress on easing farmer anger

French budget deficit rose to 5.5% in 2023