Senator and human rights defender Angkhana Neelapaijit has claimed she received death threats targeting herself and her family, prompting the national police to offer protection if requested.
The senator shared evidence of the threats on her Facebook page, questioning how cruel one must be to send death threats to her father, who is over 100 years old. She also posted screenshots of the threats directed at her personally.
Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, on Thursday expressed concern over reports of death threats and online attacks against Ms Angkhana, saying that “defending truth and justice is not a crime” and that the senator should be protected.
The threats are widely believed to be linked to Ms Angkhana’s comments on the Thai-Cambodian border tensions, particularly her criticism of the use of loud or “ghostly” noises that have disturbed residents along the border.
National police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch said yesterday that he was aware of the threats against Ms Angkhana and her family through media reports, and urged the senator to file a formal complaint or request police protection if needed.
He said differing opinions are normal in a democracy, but violence or intimidation is unacceptable. He also urged the public to avoid using heated language or resorting to violence when expressing their views.
Fuadi Pitsuwan, a lecturer and former foreign affairs adviser to the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, agreed with Ms Angkhana that the use of sound as a weapon constitutes a human rights violation because it affects civilians indiscriminately.
He warned that such acts, carried out by “non-state actors”, not only breach international human rights principles but could also backfire and harm Thailand’s national interests if reported by international media outlets.
On Thursday, army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvari said some of Ms Angkhana’s comments had been selectively used by Cambodian media to distort Thailand’s image internationally.
He urged Thais to remain united.