<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>Chukiat &lsquo;Justin&rsquo; Sangwong, a leading figure in the Thai pro-democracy protests, has tested positive for Covid-19 while in detention as a suspect under the lèse majesté law, the Department of Corrections confirmed on 24 April.</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>Khon Kaen University has terminated the work permit of David Eirich Streckfuss, an independent academic who oversees the Council on International Educational Exchange programme at the University. The decision reportedly came after police visited the University President and Faculty Dean, after Streckfuss participated in a workshop which partly involved decentralization.</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>The court&rsquo;s rejection of bail for 4 pro-democracy activists on 8 March is raising questions about procedural irregularities as 3 of them were taken from court before they were allowed the opportunity to complete bail requests, while another was sent to a prison other than the one designated by the court.</p>

<p>Karom Polpornklang and Kwanlert Panichmat, two MPs of the Move Forward party, have said that they will not sign a proposal to amend the lèse majesté law.</p>

<p>The Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok has sentenced poet &lsquo;Rungsila&rsquo; to 4 years and 6 months in jail for posting poems and cartoons judged to be lèse majesté. He was jailed for 4 years and 11 months during his trial in a military court, so he has no more time to serve.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On 15 January, the court accepted a request from the police to withdraw an erroneous arrest warrant against political activist Chayaphol &lsquo;Dave&rsquo; Danothai after he went to Klong Luang Police Station for questioning with a goat.</p>