Pro-democracy protesters gathered in front of the monument to mourn the passing of a political activist who died in jail after a hunger strike.
Sarawut Kulmaturapoj led protesters from the Ratsadon Chiang Rai group to gather at King Mengrai the Great Monument in Chiang Rai, Thailand, on May 14, following the passing of Netiporn Sanesangkhom, 28, earlier in the day.
They lit candles and laid wreaths before reading a poem written by fellow activist Arnon Nampa together.
Sarawut said: 'Today is a great loss, and everyone wishes it had not happened, leaving me speechless.
'Even though many people, including myself, disagreed with Bung's aggressive activities, I saw her goal of making the country better and reforming the judicial process.
'She went to jail because she wanted to reclaim her friends' bail release rights. They did not have long sentences compared to drug-related cases, but their bail release was denied.
'I believe the judicial process has reached a dead end, as this would not happen in developed countries. I want our country to meet international standards.
'I assure you that we hold different opinions peacefully and internationally, not acting on my own terms, because bail release is a basic right.'
Netiporn Sanesangkhom was caged at the Central Women's Correctional Institution in Bangkok on January 26 for contempt of court. On the same day, the court revoked her bail on a lese majeste charge over a protest that caused a minute disruption to a royal motorcade.
The young woman had been on hunger strike ever since and was transferred to the hospital wing. However, she died on Wednesday. State officials put her time of death at 11:22 - the symbolic number of the Section 112 law that bans criticism of royals she had campaigned against.
A statement claimed Netiporn had refused 'minerals and vitamins' given by the hospital
They added: 'She had a cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning and wasn't responsive to the treatment, which led her to die peacefully at 11.22 am.'
The death sparked condemnation.
British lecturer Andrew MacGregor Marshall, one of the most vocal critics of the Thai monarchy, said: 'The world is watching. Stop this mad persecution of young people who have a different view from the dinosaurs.'
U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Ambassador Robert F. Godec said: 'We are saddened by the tragic death of Netiporn Sanesangkhom. We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends.'
Krisadang Nutcharat, a lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), said that Netiporn'a family received a call from an official at the Corrections Department's hospital at 6 am, informing them that Netiporn had fallen unconscious and that her heart had stopped beating, prompting medical personnel there to administer CPR.
He also said that he visited Netiporn in the hospital about a week ago and found that she had lost about 10kg in weight as a result of her hunger strike, adding that she complained of a headache, pains all over her body and swollen legs.
On February 2 this year, Netiporn prepared a will in which she left her possessions to Thanalop Phalanchai, a former political activist from the 'Thalu Wang' group. The list of bequests includes her cash and bank deposits, a wristwatch, earrings and her pet.
On February 8, Netiporn signed another document stating her intention to refuse any medical intervention to prolong her life and to donate her body to medical science at Thammasat University Hospital.
Thailand has become known for its strict defamation laws. Earlier this month, a British tourist was arrested for leaving one star reviews of a restaurant in Phuket.
In October 2020, an American tourist was arrested over a negative hotel review he posted on TripAdvisor.
He accused the Sea View Resort in Phuket of 'modern-day slavery'. He was subsequently detained and charged under Thailand's strict anti-defamation laws before apologising and being released.
The laws extend to banning free speech about the monarchy, which remains the richest in the world with an estimated 70 billion dollars in assets.