Hunger-striking Thai activists refuse treatment at prison hospital

Lawyers for two women accused of insulting the royal family who have fallen ill after a week-long hunger strike are petitioning the prison system to transfer them to a civilian hospital.

Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Orawan “Bam” Phuphong are reportedly weak and ill after launching the strike days after they voluntarily asked a court to return them to prison to support others awaiting trial for allegedly defaming the royal family. 

Now they are waiting for the Corrections Department to approve their transfer to a university hospital, legal advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said this afternoon. 

They do not wish to remain at a prison-run hospital and say they want to either be returned to Bangkok’s Women’s Central Correctional Institution or a medical facility outside the prison system, such as Thammasat University Hospital.

The duo…