Justice due for slain activist

It is exactly 12 months since young Lahu rights activist and artist Chaiyaphum Pasae was shot dead at a military-run checkpoint near the Thai-Myanmar border in Chiang Mai's Chiang Dao district. His premature death -- he was only 17 at the time -- is still shrouded in mystery.

The military claimed they stopped Chaiyaphum, who was travelling with a friend, at the checkpoint at Rinluang village to conduct a search. In a bid to escape arrest, the military claimed the activist tried to throw a hand grenade at the soldiers on duty, prompting one to open fire.

They also claimed 2,800 methamphetamine pills were found in the back of his car and that they could trace suspicious "drug money" transactions from Chaiyaphum's bank accounts.