<div>In the 10 years of the 2008 Internal Security Act, an important legacy of the 2006 coup d’?tat, Prachatai's Kritsada Subpawanthanakun talked with political scientist Puangthong Pawakapan who argues that ISOC has changed its status to a permanent agency which continues to build the legitimacy of the armed forces in various ways, beginning with its involvement in the judicial process, monitoring of civilians and seeing democracy as a danger to security.</div> <p></p>

<div>“... some people had stones thrown at their head, a knife pointed at their throat or a knife aimed at their belly (these are experiences that I myself had directly). Some have had piss thrown at them, and have been kicked and slapped around. Some have been beaten up to within an inch of their lives just for other people's satisfaction. They have been kicked, beaten and stomped in the face, without being raped or having their possessions taken. </div>

<div> <div>The Gender Equality Act of 2015 was enacted by the junta almost three years ago now. Although the name is seemingly progressive and rosy, one of its articles contains a worrying loophole that states that actions implemented for national security or religious purposes do not constitute gender discrimination.</div> </div> <div> </div>

<div>Analysing the predominant faith of the majority of Thais, an academic has pointed out that the version of Buddhism patronised by the Thai state promotes Thai nationalism and teaches people to be docile and accept their socio-economic status. </div>

<div>Harit Mahaton, a man accused of sedition and lèse majesté -- very serious crimes that could land him in prison for decades -- has a distinct character. He has great interest in literature because, to him, it is a form of freedom.&nbsp;</div> <p></p>