<div> <p>Despite threats and intimidation from state authorities, Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, a human rights lawyer and director of the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF) of Thailand, stands firm on her claims about alleged torture and enforced disappearances committed by the Thai authorities in the restive Deep South of Thailand.</p> </div>

<p>Since three special laws have been enforced in the three Southern border provinces including the Martial Law Act B.E.2457 (1914) and the Emergency Decree on Government Administration in States of Emergency B.E. 2548 (2005) covering the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat and the Internal Security Act B.E. 2551 (2008) &nbsp;covering the districts of Chana, Thepha, Nathawee, and Sabayoy in Songkhla, almost all of cases related to insurgency &nbsp;are related to the enforcement of special laws.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A group of Thai activists protested at the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok, demanding the Malaysian government release demonstrators who were arrested during a protest against the Internal Security Act (ISA), and abolish the law which gives sweeping powers to the authorities.</p>