Meanwhile, one man is engaged in a battle behind bars that stems from the recent national vote.

On the evening of August 6, Jatupat Boonpattaraksa, also known as “Phai Daodin”, a 25-year-old law student from Khon Kaen University, was arrested along with Suranaree University of Technology student Wasin Phrommanee, 20, while they were distributing leaflets campaigning against the draft constitution. They were charged with violating the Referendum Act.

The Phu Khiew Court in Chaiyaphum granted them bail, but Phai Daodin declined the offer, arguing that his arrest was unfair and that he had the right to campaign legally. Also, he said eligible voters had the right to be informed about the draft constitution that they were to vote on.

He said the documents he had distributed were neither fake versions or distortions of the draft’s content. Since August 8, the day after the referendum, Phai has been on hunger strike.

“He wants law enforcers to review their legal action against him. They should reconsider whether what they did to him was right. If our society allows things to continue like this, what will happen to our country?” said his father Wiboon.

On Monday, a weakened Phai lost consciousness, triggering calls for him to seek temporary release and fight his case in court.

However, the young activist seems determined to carry on.

The director of Phu Khiew Prison has declined to give permission for Phai to be sent to hospital until the prison doctor confirms medical attention is warranted. At present, Phai is being treated in the prison’s clinic.

Critics claim that denying Phai hospital treatment is a deliberate ploy to pressure him into seeking temporary release.

Recently, Human Rights Watch added its voice to local calls for his immediate release.

Others counter that the activist deserves punishment since he violated the law, but is himself responsible for “choosing” to be detained.

Behind the political bias that is dividing views on the case lies a simple fact: Phai is refusing to give in to what he views as unfair use of power. He views that it was unjust for opponents of the draft charter to be prevented from airing their views in the lead-up to the referendum.

In stark contrast, supporters of the draft were permitted to campaign freely through different media for a “yes” vote. No charges have been filed against these people.

Phai is not just battling against one action taken by the authorities. He is fighting for fairness and basic rights in general. When those principles are respected by authorities, it is not just him who will benefit. All citizens will benefit from the rights and liberties that are generally enjoyed in any civilised society.

Whether he ends up winning or losing, what this young activist is doing will be recorded as a significant step in modern Thai history.

attayuth@nationgroup.com