<div> <div>The police have intimidated activists during a month long rally to raise awareness of rights of the northeastern people, and ordered them to stop their campaign.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>The police on Friday at Srisalai District of Sisaket Province told the activists from the New E-Saan Movement that they were violating the Public Assembly Act after they have been campaigning in the region for almost a month. </div></div>

<div>As a Canadian Masters student who is researching development practices in Thailand, and works at Prachatai, I often hear and read about conflicts between authorities and activists. After observing interactions between the two groups this past weekend, from the explanations given by the authorities for their interventions at least, it seems like they are there just to help out! Let me explain.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>There is an activist group called the New E-saan Movement, which is located in the northeast region of Isaan, in Thailand. </div>