The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESRC) grilled Thailand over its treatment of human rights defenders and the "excessive use" of the lese majeste law during a recent session in Geneva.
The 55th session of the CESCR last week studied a report from Thailand on how it is implementing the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
It was the first time the country has submitted a report on the covenant since it became a signatory 16 years ago.
Wanchai Roujanavong, director-general of the International Affairs Department, Office of the Attorney-General, told the committee about the development of rights issues in Thailand.
They included the interim constitution's guarantees on human rights and dignity as well as the work of the National Human Rights Commission since 2001.
Mr Wanchai also told the panel the government had passed or amended a number of human rights-related laws, including the Gender Equality Act, the Public Assembly Act and the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act.
However, the committee took note of last year's coup and asked how it had affected economic, social and cultural rights in the country. The panel voiced concerns over what it called a lack of protection for illegal migrants which was made clear by the crisis involving boat people in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
It also expressed concern about levels of poverty, and the economic marginalisation of hill tribes and ethnic minorities in the North and Northeastern provinces.
It said 90% of the land was in the hands of some 50 individuals and companies.
Panel members also criticised National Council for Peace and Order policies on forest conservation and their impacts on rural and poor communities.
These included forced evictions and the destruction of crops.
The committee called on Thailand to pay due attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and the principle of prior consultation.
Concern was also voiced over the alleged killings of human rights defenders and lese majesté cases in Thailand.
Pornpen Khongkachornkiet, the president of the Cross-Cultural Foundation, was among dozens of NGO representatives at the Geneva meeting.
She said she was glad that the problem of abuses against human rights defenders was raised by the international experts and hopes that something positive can be achieved as a result.