This label refers to US concern over the way Thailand handles intellectual property rights, and it was first issued to Bangkok last year after the new military government began issuing compulsory licenses for three widely used meds. Since then, Thailand has become an ideololgical flashpoint in the widening debate over patents and access to life-saving drugs. More recently, a newly installed government considered rolling back the program, but ultimately left it in place, even as pharma lobbied the US Trade Rep to downgrade Thailand’s status.

Instead, the US Trade Rep left Thailand in the same position. “The serious deterioration of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in Thailand led the United States to elevate Thailand to the Special 301 Priority Watch List of countries in 2007. The United States will continue to press the Thai government to strengthen its IPR regime and increase enforcement,” according to its annual report, which was released today. (And here’s the press release).

“While the United States recognizes the importance of Thailand’s public health challenges, Thailand’s recent policies and actions regarding the compulsory licensing of patented medicines have contributed to continuing concerns regarding the adequate and effective protection of IPR in Thailand. The US is awaiting further information on the new Thai government’s approach in this area and hopes to work constructively on this and other IPR issues in order to strengthen Thailand’s IPR regime.”

To date, Thailand has issued compulsory licenses for heart, AIDS and cancer meds.