A national verification process for migrant workers began in July. However, the Thai government did not publicize or explain the process to migrants, and officials and unofficial agents exploited migrants' consequent lack of awareness for financial gain.

Death penalty

In August, the authorities executed via lethal injection two drug traffickers, Bundit Charoenwanich and Jirawat Phumpruek, in the first executions carried out in Thailand since 2003.

Amnesty International report

Thailand: Torture in the southern counter-insurgency (13 January 2009)