<p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/thailand">Thailand&rsquo;s&nbsp;</a>government in 2020 escalated its repression of basic rights in the face of a growing, youth-led democracy movement demanding political and constitutional reforms, <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/13/thailand-rights-crisis-rapidly-worsens?fbclid=IwAR0r2vNVrc82Edi59BvBR96JO2LEOMd1KKSVvqHEkQsc5F7QuGQj9-OM1_8">Human Rights Watch</a> said on Wednesday (13 January) in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021">World Report 2021</a>.</p>

<p>3 more people have been charged with royal defamation under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, bringing the number of people facing Section 112 charges to 40.</p>

<p>On 31 December, the volunteer protest guard group We Volunteer (WeVo) were organising a shrimp sale at Sanam Luang when they were surrounded by police officers, who arrested 12 members of the group, including group leader Piyarat &ldquo;Toto&rdquo; Chongtep.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Representatives of four high school student activist groups tell stories of the harassment and legal prosecution they now face after speaking out about human rights violations they face in school, reiterating that the right to freedom of expression is a constitutional right, while vowing to keep fighting nonetheless.</p>

<p>17 activists have received summonses to hear lèse majesté charges during the past week, since Parit Chiwarak received a summons on 24 November. The law has not been used in the past two years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>US Senators Bob Menendez&nbsp;and Dick Durbin, along with seven other senators, introduced yesterday (3 December 2020) a Senate Resolution in support of Thailand&#39;s pro-democracy movement,&nbsp;which have been met with violence and repression from the authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Protesters on Sunday (29 November) marched to the 11th Infantry Regiment headquarters to raise questions about the transfer of army units to the direct command of the crown.</p>

<p>Student activist and protest leader Panusaya &ldquo;Rung&rdquo; Sithijirawattanakul has been listed as one of <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-55042935?fbclid=IwAR0m0rs1YMcTT-y_V6S90TTmcm8DskDEAVyfOZctpBdw41J4v_jbU-lSRhE">BBC&rsquo;s 100 most inspiring and influential women</a> of 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Foreign Correspondents&#39; Club of Thailand (FCCT) issued a statement following the crackdown on the protest at the parliament compound on 17 November urging journalists to take precautions when covering protests and for the authorities to legalise the use of body armour for journalists and paramedics working in conflict areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prachatai spoke to some of the protesters at Ratchaprasong on 18 November, most of whom said they would like to see the country changing for the better.</p>