BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai senators urged the government to act after two prominent human rights defenders received death threats following their public criticism of alleged psychological warfare along the Cambodia border.
Death threats and calls for police protection
Angkhana Neelapaijit, a former commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission, and Sunai Phasuk, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, had formally asked police for protection after receiving threats, Senator Thewarit Maneechai confirmed. “The government must take this seriously,” he said, pressing for swift measures to ensure the activists’ safety and for the national human rights commission to investigate any potential legal violations.
Allegations of sound-based intimidation
The threats followed the activists’ public comments about controversial actions by influencer Guntouch “Gun Jompalang” Pongpaiboonwet, who reportedly played “ghostly” noises and high-frequency tones near the border to intimidate Cambodian civilians. Angkhana translated a Cambodian human rights complaint to the United Nations and publicly alleged that the Thai army was behind the intimidation efforts.
Angkhana warned that “the use of sound amounts to psychological torture under the UN Anti-Torture Convention,” and cautioned that such tactics could seriously damage Thailand’s international reputation. On social media she wrote, “These incidents will not discourage me. On the contrary, they strengthen our resolve.”
Senate solidarity and investigation demands
Several senators voiced support for protecting the activists and called for calm. Senator Noraset Prachayagorn urged restraint, saying, “Freedom of expression and patriotism must coexist. We must love our country with care and maturity.” Senator Sunthorn Prueksapipat emphasised that the Senate’s concern was about the broader principle of human rights rather than defending individuals.
The Senate’s Political Development Committee invited Sunai and representatives of the human rights commission to provide information in hearings intended to clarify the facts and examine whether laws had been breached.
Media responsibility and online moderation
Senator Thewarit also appealed for balanced media coverage and responsible moderation on social platforms. He said platforms should cooperate with investigations when posts crossed the line into threats or incitement, stressing that unchecked online rhetoric could endanger targeted individuals.
Regional tensions and democratic test
The episode comes against a backdrop of already strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia, and the reported sound actions have further frayed neighbourhood ties. Observers have said the case is emerging as a test of Thailand’s handling of human rights, freedom of expression and the rule of law: whether authorities will protect activists who criticise security practices or whether the controversial border actions will be tolerated.
The international community is watching how Bangkok responds. For the threatened activists, the stakes were described in dramatic terms: what began as a rights complaint could have literal life-or-death consequences unless authorities provide clear protection and accountability.