<div>We have surveyed the concept of ‘marijuana legalization’ from its status as a narcotic that must be suppressed to a medication. We have talked to representatives from the state sector and civil society about the possibility of legalizing marijuana in Thailand, who would gain and who would lose. </div>

<div> <div>Thailand’s Justice Minister says that 'social sanction' is the best way to protect the monarchy, adding that Thais should do the same with lèse majesté offenders living abroad. Meanwhile, the junta has urged people to use the legal process rather than violence. &nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>On 18 October 2016, Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya was asked by the media for his opinion about the <a href="http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6654">vigilante attack against a soy milk seller in Phuket </a>accused of lèse majesté that occurred three days earlier. </div></div>

<p dir="ltr">Contradicting the Minister of Justice, the Thai National Human Rights Commission has concluded that shackling political dissidents is a violation of human rights.</p> <p>What Tingsamitr, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday, 9 August 2016, concluded that the use of shackles by the Department of Corrections (DC) on detained political activists from the New Democracy Movement (NDM) violates human rights and dignity,<a href="http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9590000079290">&nbsp;the Manager Online reported</a>.</p>

<div> <div>The Justice Minister has justified the use of shackles on student activists, asking rights defenders what would they do if unshackled prisoners escape, while a junta spokesperson said the use of shackles depended on officials’ personal discretion. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Although the seven activists from the New Democracy Movement were already released, they have left criticism against Thailand’s justice system as the pictures of them being shackled by chain were widely spread throughout the media. </div>

<p>Leading women's rights advocacy groups in Thailand are urging the authorities to stop forcing pelvic examinations on female detainees.</p> <p>16 women’s rights organisations, including the Friends of Women Foundation, the Women's Movement in Thai Political Reform (WeMove), the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies of Mahidol University and the Foundation for SOGI Rights and Justice, on Friday, 13 May 2016, submitted a joint statement to Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, and Gen Paiboon Khumchaya, the Minister of Justice.</p>

<div> <div>Amid international concerns on the abuse of Thailand’s lèse majesté law, the Thai Justice Minister said other countries did not understand that the law is necessary for Thailand since they did not have civilization, sensitivity, and gentleness.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Gen Paiboon Koomchaya, the Minister of Justice, said in having the King, Thailand was unique and civilized. </div></div>

<p>After two lèse majesté suspects died in custody within 14 days, the Thai Minister of Justice had told the media that suicides and fatal illnesses in detention facilities are not strange.</p> <p>On Tuesday, 10 November 2015, Gen Paiboon Kumchaya, Minister of Justice, said that he personally informed Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta’s leader and Prime Minister, about the death of Suriyan Sucharitpolwong, aka Mo Yong, a well-known fortune-teller who was charged under Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law, for making false claims about the monarchy for personal benefit.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1436851966&amp;section=11&amp;typecate=06">Khaosod English</a>: Thailand's Minister of Justice said he has asked the French ambassador to help extradite Thais charged with insulting the monarchy, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.</p> <p>Gen. Paiboon Khumchaya met with the ambassador, Thierry Viteau, at the Ministry of Justice yesterday.&nbsp;</p>