<p>Reporters Without Borders condemns the continuing detention of the journalist Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, who was held for more than the 84 days allowed under the criminal code before being formally charged on 26 July on two l&egrave;se-majest&eacute; counts. No date has been set for his trial, at which he could get a combined sentence of up to 30 years in prison.</p>

<p>Late last month, Joe Gordon, a Thai-American citizen, was again denied bail on charges relating to lese-majeste and the Computer Crimes Act (CCA). The decision marks the seventh and final appeal for bail during the period of his pre-trial incarceration. </p>

<p>In a sign of increasing online witch-hunting against its political opponents, ASTV-Manager daily newspaper, the mouthpiece of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), on Monday produced the picture and name of the latest man charged under lese majeste laws.</p>

<p>On 8 Aug, the Criminal Court granted bail to Norawase Yospiyasathien who had been arrested and detained by police three days earlier for l&egrave;se majest&eacute;.</p>

<p>A 23-year-old university graduate was detained on Friday for alleged lese majeste - offending the monarchy - in messages written on his blog, prachatai.com on-line newspaper reported yesterday.</p>

<p>The Criminal Court decided yesterday to take up two lese majeste cases against Red Power magazine editor Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, who insists he is innocent.</p>

<p><strong>The right to freedom of speech and political opinions shall not be abrogated and misconstrued as a violation of l&egrave;se majest&eacute;</strong></p> <p>We, a coalition of three hundred and fifty-nine Thai writers, whose names are signed herein, declare that our right to freedom of speech within the Thai democratic constitution is being undermined, breached and endangered when it is construed to be a violation of Article 112 of the Criminal Code. We believe this to be an unjust and wrongful act of aggression fabricated by various parties to suppress and deny us our right to express political viewpoints by threatening to press charges, prosecute, imprison, and inflict physical harm simply to serve their self-interest and enhance their political power.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>

<p>According to the recent ruling of the Constitutional Court in relation to the case of Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, the answer to this question is yes. While further information about the ruling and its implications will unfold over the next few days and weeks, a few preliminary observations are in order. </p>

<p>When the advocates of the freedom of expression and journalists from Southeast and South Asia met in the Indonesian capital last weekend, each had their own sobering tale to tell.</p>

<p>Today marks the third anniversary of the incarceration of Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, alias &lsquo;Da Torpedo&rsquo;, on charges of l&egrave;se majest&eacute;. In 2008, Ms. Daranee was charged with making several remarks deemed to be l&egrave;se majest&eacute; in speeches on the stage of UDD rallies. She was convicted on three counts of insulting the King and Queen and given a six-year sentence on each count &ndash; in total, an 18 year sentence. The court did not allow for a suspension of her jail term.</p>

<p>It is 63 days since Joe Gordon was first incarcerated, and despite this, he seems considerably well. &quot;Yes, it took a long time, but I've started receiving some medicine now, and it's working,&quot; he says. </p>

<p>The Department of Special Investigation has been investigating 258 cases involving protest rallies of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and 29 cases of offences against the monarchy.</p>