<p>An escalation of symbolic actions by pro-democracy protesters took place after the repeated use of force against protesters by the police and legal charges against its leading figures. But when it comes to burning portraits of the King, the state uses the royal defamation law to handle the problem.</p>

<p>Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported on Monday night that the police arrested Sitthichok Sethasavet, 25, a Foodpanda delivery rider accused of burning a royal arch at Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue during the 18 July protest. He is accused of royal defamation and arson before released on bail on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Phatanachai Sakawi, President of the Blind Society Association of Thailand, has gone to Thungmahamek Police Station in Bangkok to report an allegedly lèse majesté comment posted by someone older who also has a visibility impairment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One day ahead of a court ruling on the temporary release of 3 famous pro-democracy protesters detained on royal defamation charges, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/naksit.org/photos/a.559642024104300/3919357344799401/">Human Rights Lawyers Association</a> (HRLA) has urged the Office of the Judicial Commission to look into 3 questionable points which may involve the courts in political conflict.</p>

<p>A Ministry of Digital Economy and Society representative filed a complaint against a trans woman for sharing a Facebook post of an academic critic of the monarchy. In another incident, a man was charged for a post in the &lsquo;Royalist Marketplace&rsquo; Facebook group, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.</p>

<p>Ignoring the long Songkran holidays and a new surge of Covid-19 infections, people have started to demonstrate their sympathy with the pro-democracy protesters who are in detention without being proved guilty by joining the detainees in fasting and by protesting in front of the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>Patiwat &lsquo;Mor Lam Bank&rsquo; Saraiyaem was allowed bail while 2 others were not, following their decision to withdraw their legal representation in protest against what they call an unfair judicial process where their right to legal consultation and the presumption of innocence were undermined</p>

<p>As Covid-19 infections spread in pubs and bars, 9 people who gave speeches at the 27 March protest at Ratchaprasong intersection have been charged with violating the Emergency Decree.</p>

<p>For the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), to be held in November 2021, <a href="https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/">Scholars at Risk (SAR)</a> has submitted a report to the Working Group, detailing the worsening situation for academic freedom and freedom of expression in Thailand.</p>

<p>The public prosecutor has postponed until 13 May 2021 the hearing of 13 people involved in the <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/8881">protest in front of the German Embassy in Bangkok</a> on 26 October 2020, as the prosecutor has yet to finish the paperwork needed to file the case against the protesters.</p>