Somyot one of the trade union activists has been jailed for last two-year and 8 months. All together he has been sentenced for 11 years and still 8 year and 4 more months more, he will be in prison. Being a trade union activist from Thailand, fighting for social justice more than 3-decades, I felt to visit him, while I am in Bangkok. He has been kept in prison with the charge of anti monarchy activities under lese majeste charges, connecting with Red short movement in 2007.

I had visited him in 2010 when I was a constituent assembly member as part of our international solidarity of the movement for justice.

On the very morning of Nov. 21st I went to Klong .. central prison, with Aranya, who is part of trade union and free Somyot movement.

There are 4-prisoners under the charge of anti-monarchy activities including a woman. Somyot and Ekachai are in the same prison. Somyot, as 52 years old guy is the one getting longest sentence, is being suffered by knee and teeth problem. But he looks quite confident for his mission. Last time, he had mentioned that Nepali movement is one of the inspirations for them and expecting one day the monarchy will be over thrown like in Nepal. That is why also, I had brought a book named “Forget Kathmandu”, written by Manjushree Thapa. But, they did not allow the English book to bring in. Then, I handed it over to a friend from IUF. She will manage it to send inside later on.

Ekachai is another young man aged 38, was arrested 8 months back, when he was selling the VCD of red-short movement, as collection of broadcasted visual of Australian TV. He has been charged for 3-year prison. I got opportunity to meet and talk to him also.

Both of their cases are in appeal court. Though they are not much hopeful to get amnesty under the present regime, but has not given up the fighting through legal way as well.

Forced Labor

All prisoners’ in that prison are compelled to work inside. Somyot and Ekachai have been given work in library. Other some work as barber and rest working the factory making paper bags. Working in library and barber do not get any payment. State’s logic is that they have been provided 3-meals per day and free accommodation as return of the work.

Some of them working in the factory receive 60 Baht per month as salary, which is just enough to buy 3 cups of tea in the shop within prison’s compound.

In fact this is part of force labor, which is denied internationally.

I met a women named WERAWAN UEDA, who was working in Japan University of Japan, has been resigned and now involved in the democratic movement in Thailand. I met her also as one of the visiter of those two prisoner. She believes that one the situation will be changed. If the over thrown of the monarchy is not possible, but will be changed as like to monarchy position in Japan, as ceremonial and people will achieve democracy. Talking to her, I felt BELIEF is very powerful to gear up human’s life.

On the evening of Nov 22nd, the wife of Somyot Joop came to see me in my hotel. Then, we went for dinner outside and talked about her, her family and Somyot’s relative. He has 8-bothers and sisters. But none of them care about the issues and support the family. Joop has a brother who is supporting her morally, psychologically and physically as well.

It pushed me to think about how close is the BLOOD relation? And, what kinds of relation is more strong and valuable?

Joop lives with two children as 22- years son, who is quite understandable and 18-year daughter, who has not been able to internalize the reality yet. She is nurse by profession and taking care of family and herself. And, quite strongly involving in the free somyot movement, though she was not activist earlier.

I hope one day full democracy will be achieved in Thailand and the family of democracy fighters’ will live on peace with proudness.