Open Letter from Waen – Nattatida Meewangpla Regarding the Illness of Ekachai Hongkangwan, Accused in the Section 110 Royal Motorcade Obstruction Case

Citing a professional medical opinion by Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit, Rhaen warns that Ekachai's unaddressed symptoms (including drastic weight loss, organ enlargement, and chronic pain) require urgent tertiary care and an MRI to screen for cancer, warning that without immediate bail or proper medical transfer, he faces a life-threatening risk in prison.

Read the text of the letter below –

Open Letter

In the case of Ekachai Hongkangwan, I would like to ask society: what is the definition of attempting an act of violence against the Queen? Regarding the incident that occurred on that day, as seen in clips and evidence from every angle, it happened after police and crowd control officers informed the protesters that a royal motorcade would be passing. The police responsible for the scene came from three local stations: Chana Songkhram, Samran Rat, and Nang Loeng. If the officers from these three stations had known in advance that a royal motorcade was coming, they would never have allowed the protest crowd to remain there, and traffic controls would have been strictly enforced, just like every previous time. However, on the day of the incident, after police informed the protesters about the motorcade, crowd control officers and police formed a line to prevent protesters from stepping onto the road or obstructing the procession. Ekachai walked down onto the road merely to check the situation and see if a royal motorcade was actually coming. Once he realized that a royal motorcade was indeed arriving, he immediately headed home. Based on the available evidence, Ekachai did not throw a single object onto the road surface or at any vehicle. During the trial in the court of first instance, the court dismissed the charges because the prosecution's evidence lacked weight. However, during the appeal stage, the prosecution introduced a new set of witnesses who belong to opposing groups harboring hatred toward pro-democracy movements or toward Ekachai specifically—a fact clearly reflected in their court testimonies. Is this how knowledgeable individuals with immense duties ought to treat the public? Is this not a clear catalyst for creating division and hatred?

Ekachai has been detained since September 5, 2026, facing a maximum sentence of 21 years and 4 months. He was remanded in custody despite suffering from illness even before entering prison—specifically, a liver abscess that had not yet fully healed. I must emphasize that it was not yet fully healed. Ekachai requested to leave prison to follow up on his treatment starting September 28, 2025, but he was only able to receive actual medical examination in mid-March 2026. The test results clearly showed that Ekachai had an enlarged liver and an enlarged spleen, escalating from his pre-existing liver abscess. His current physical condition—weighing 65 kg at a height of 185 cm—is dangerously below standard. Ekachai suffers from frequent muscle weakness, dizziness, and blackouts, and came close to suffering heat stroke twice this past April. Does such delayed medical treatment violate medical ethics and constitute negligence on the part of the prison administration? Given that the OPD test results confirmed Ekachai is ill, he should receive immediate treatment. If the prison hospital lacks adequate equipment—and indeed it lacks adequate equipment, where the best tool available is merely an ultrasound machine—Ekachai’s condition requires detailed blood work and an MRI to diagnose the illness and provide urgent treatment, as the risk of developing liver cancer is extremely high. The medication Ekachai receives consists only of Air-X (an antiflatulent) and prostate enlargement medication, which he is required to take after lunch. Even though it is medication intended to be taken before bedtime, Ekachai and other inmates are ordered to enter their sleeping quarters at 2:00 PM, which marks their final meal of the day. If Ekachai's treatment continues to be delayed or if he is denied bail, there is a very high probability that he will develop cancer and die in prison, repeating the tragic fate of "Akong" (who died in prison from liver cancer).

If walking onto a road to look at an approaching vehicle when the vehicle has not even passed yet is called an act of violence or malicious intent, is asking such a question itself going to put myself at risk of being charged with malicious intent toward the monarchy as well? Yet, if Thai society is to coexist, there must be direct and honest communication to avoid generating hatred and resentment toward any side. The case of Ekachai and his co-defendants—five people in total—is a historic case. From the reign of King Rama I through King Rama IX, as far as is known, such a charge has never been filed. I urge society to reflect on this with straightforward reason and logic.

These are my honest thoughts and the truth that I desperately wish to communicate. On the day of the incident, I was also at the scene. I myself was unaware that a royal motorcade was coming and only learned of it from the police less than 10 minutes beforehand. I knew Ekachai was at the scene and ran to find him so he would go home. As I ran, Ekachai met her halfway and said he already knew and was heading back home, taking a bus by cutting through Dinso Road behind Satriwit School.

Attached herewith is a medical opinion note from Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit regarding the inmate's health (Mr. Ekachai Hongkangwan). Please read it; the doctor explicitly wrote that Ekachai must receive treatment as well.

Waen – Nattatida Meewangpla, a volunteer nurse who was present during the crackdown on the "Red Shirt" protesters in front of Wat Pathum Wanaram, who has played an active political role for over 15 years and has been arrested and prosecuted multiple times.

The orgrinal documented letter in PDF form is below –