About the Librarian of Bangkok Prison

On the 30th April of this year Somyot Pruksakasemsuk was arrested for the second time in 12 months, for his activities as a journalist. He is just one of a number of activists who find themselves in Bangkok Remand Prison for their democratic activities in the run up to the Thai elections in July. They believe that the charges have been used to prevent opposition groups in Thailand from participating fairly.  For a good summary of recent campaigns click here or search the Asian Correspondent site.

The Thai National Human Rights Committee, and Amnesty International have taken up Somyot’s case, and many friends and colleagues have sent letters to the previous Thai prime minister requesting his release.

Somyot’s family and friends have remained close to him during this period but he has now been in prison for four long years.

Somyot is now working as the librarian of Bangkok prison taking this rare opportunity to read books.

Please, send him by post or email some publication or creative product, either your own or other people’s. This could be a book or piece of written work, some art or photography or anything that you think would offer some distraction for the people of Bangkok remand prison.

Please send something to Somyot today by email to librarianbangkokprison@yahoo.com.

By sending something you will be raising the profile of Somyot’s case, and those of the activists who have also been arrested. This helps not only with their safety, but raises the possibility of democratic elections taking place in Thailand this year.

With enormous thanks

The Librarian of Bangkok Prison

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About the Campaign – who’s who

This campaign was set up by Elizabeth Cotton eeeecotton@yahoo.co.uk, and Phee Jung Sun in response to Somyot’s arrest this year. We have worked with Somyot for over fifteen years in our work as trade unionists and consider him our good friend. We are supported by a team of activists who know Somyot and we are in regular contact with him while he is in prison.