<div>The parliament appointed by the military junta is expected to pass the Civil Partnership Act, the first law in Thailand to recognize the existence of same-sex couples. However, the bill is widely unacceptable to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists.</div> <p></p>

<div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Since the coup d’état on 22 May, the junta has threatened and detained academics and students in many tertiary educational institutions. It even sent soldiers to storm on-going academic seminars and force them to stop. Despite the climate of fear, Thai academics are now protesting against the junta and the suppression of free speech by using a metal box. Yes, a metal box -- or ‘<em>Peep</em>’ in Thai.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>

<div> <div>Instead of throwing an ice bucket over one’s head, the challenge is to sing a song whose lyrics touch every free spirit.&nbsp;</div> <div> </div></div>

<div>Female paramilitaries in the troubled Deep South are dubbed “Iron Flowers” by the military. They are assigned to use their soft side to connect with locals. This story explores whether they are successful and what obstacles they face.&nbsp;</div> <p></p>

<p>The conflict over the mine in Loei is the first test of the junta’s policy to create reconciliation. The villagers say they have lost trust after the military intervened.</p> <p></p>

<div> <div>Contrary to what the junta has tried to claim, that all detainees have been very well treated while in custody, a student activist said he was threatened with enforced disappearance and being killed. The story also shows how the media saved him from detention.</div> <div> </div></div>

<div> <div>Tuesday is the sixth anniversary of the arrest of Da Torpedo. She is currently serving a 15-year sentence for three alleged violations of the lèse majesté law. During the past 6 years, she has experienced consistent obstacles in accessing justice.</div> </div>

<div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Contrary to what the junta has tried to claim, that all detainees were treated very well while in their custody, other than being deprived of their freedom, the first account of degrading treatment of anti-coup protesters by the military has been revealed.</div> <div> </div>

<div> <div>Under the junta, media and the Internet are censored. Eating sandwich and reading 1984 in public are forbidden. While expressing disapproval to the coup is very difficult, a media campaign was created to present another side of truth of live under the coup called "Resurgent Truth."</div> </div>

<div>Enforced disappearance has happened again and again in Thailand. The number of victims may be over 3,000. Still, no one has ever been held to account for these crimes. This story explores how the practice has become systematic and part of the 'culture' of the land of smiles.</div> <div> </div>

<div>The involvement of a controversial monk Buddha Issara as an anti-government protest leader sparks fierce debate on the function of Buddhism in this turbulent country.</div> <p></p>

<div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>How well do you understand the red shirts? Why have most Isan people become red-shirt supporters? Academics from Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities have tried to explain the emergence of the red shirts and the current political conflict.&nbsp;</div> <div> </div></div>