Three Thai democracy activists charged with insulting monarchy

Trio denied bail as government steps up legal fight against protest movement

Three prominent Thai pro-democracy figures have been denied bail in a Bangkok court after being charged with insulting the monarchy, as the government escalates a legal offensive against a youth-led movement that emerged last year.

The three activists - Panusaya Rung" Sithijirawattanakul, Panupong Mike" Jadnok and Jatupat Pai" Boonpattararaksa - were charged with violating royal defamation laws over a rally in central Bangkok in September, said Prayut Pecharakun, a spokesman for the attorney general.