<p>This was a &nbsp;busy week on the frontlines of personal freedom, particularly in regards to free speech. Tying together several key events were government&rsquo;s increasingly sophisticated restrictions on our human rights, and the efforts to push them back. For obvious reasons, freedom of speech is dear to this writer, and this week&rsquo;s post addresses the past week&rsquo;s developments.</p>

<p>Thailand should reverse its recent backward slide in respect for freedom of expression, as illustrated by the sharp increase over the past ten months in cases under the lese majeste law.</p>

<p>BANGKOK, Aug 31 (IPS) - Thailand&rsquo;s draconian lese majeste law is steadily emerging as a testing ground for the principles that renowned international human rights lobbies stand for.</p>