<p>Last week in Geneva, Switzerland, Thailand&rsquo;s freedom of expression record came under particular scrutiny during the <a href="http://bit.ly/oIpZCz">Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council</a>.</p>

<p><em>This story is written by a person, who was then a little girl, from her memories of what happened to her family in the wake of the incident.&nbsp; One of her elder brothers was a student leader at the protest at Thammasat University. The article was published in a book disseminated at the funeral of her father in May this year.</em></p>

<p>While the vast majority of Thai people are commemorating the 5th anniversary of the latest coup in order to show their strong disdain for this unconstitutional method of political change, a small group of people is spreading the possibility of another coup if the fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra returns to the country.</p>

<p>Authorities have confirmed that citizen photographer Bernd Mechsner, 50, passed away earlier in the week. Bernd, a Swiss scientist, businessman and resident in Thailand for over a decade, died as a result of sudden heart complications on Monday evening, at his home in Bangkok. </p>

<p>I'm glad and honored that I'm selected to be one among 48 writers, journalists and activists from 24 countries to be awarded with the <a href="http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/2775">Hellmann Helmett award in 2011</a>. I would like to thank the HH awarding committee and HRW for this award. Although this award is an individual award, for me this award is a price for the whole Prachatai team who worked hard and with enthusiasm and never despaired.</p>

<p>In commemoration of ten-year anniversary of the September 11 incident, it is imperative to first and foremost express heart-felt condolences to the departed and their relatives who have suffered from their loss of the loved ones.</p>

<p><em>International Media Advocates on the Case of Prachatai Executive Director Chiranuch Premchaiporn </em><br /> &nbsp;</p>

<p>Thailand&rsquo;s long arm of the law is long indeed. The kindgom claims jurisdiction over speech and acts of all world citizens - conducted within their own countries or not, despite claimed legitimacy based on the need to protect revered institutions and national security, cuts to the very heart of national sovereignty vs. national right of universal prosecution against those who are domestically viewed as in violation of national laws. Confusion rightfully set in as to what then is domestic, what is global?</p>

<p>On September 3, 2011, the Economist published an <a href="http://www.economist.com/node/21528262">article</a> which criticizes the role of the Chinese state in China&rsquo;s privatization.&nbsp; In essence, the article asserts that shareholdings by the Chinese government and its influence on corporate decision-making stymies the efficiency of private enterprises and has encouraged corruption among state officials. The Economist thus implicitly urges the Chinese state to refrain from exerting its influence on private enterprises, i.e. colossally privatize state enterprises.</p>

<p>A little clarification is requested from the techies and legal eagles out there familiar with not just the contemporary legal issues of online content, but familiar with what it really is.</p>

<p><em>&rdquo;In hospitals across Sweden, the rest of Europe and in North America, the products of M&ouml;lnlycke Health Care help save lives and reduce human suffering. In Samut Prakarn, they have the opposite effect&rdquo;. </em></p>

<p>Until he received his Thai citizenship and identification card this month, life was very difficult for 17-year-old Joe as a stateless person.</p> <p>&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t go to places I wanted to go, though the rest of my family could. Police always stopped me from leaving my village since I didn&rsquo;t have anything to prove I was Thai,&rdquo; he says. </p>