The war of words between controversial activist Guntouch “Gun Jompalang” Pongpaiboonwet and Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit reflects the flaws in the army’s handling of the simmering border conflict with Cambodia.
Mr Guntouch launched into a tirade against Ms Angkhana after the senator reprimanded the activist for playing “ghostly sounds” along the border with the intention of scaring Cambodian civilians in the area. The activist has been playing eerie sounds, as well as recordings of helicopter and jet engine noises, through speakers he took to Ban Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaeo in Sa Kaeo since Friday.
The senator’s protest followed Phnom Penh’s decision to lodge a complaint with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) over the use of loudspeakers along the border, which it claims have affected many Cambodians living nearby, especially the sick, the elderly, children and people with disabilities. The complaint went as far as accusing Thailand of violating human rights principles by engaging in psychological torture.
To back up the complaint, the Cambodian government took Asean’s Interim Observer Team to several border communities in Banteay Meanchey province — right across the border from Sa Kaeo.
Mr Guntouch hit back at the senator, asking her why she, as well as other human rights activists, chose to remain silent when Cambodia sent pregnant women and children to the frontlines at the peak of the conflict.
“When we send a letter, they ignore it. But when we play sounds for two days, they panic. Sometimes, you have to shake things up,” he said.
Ban Nong Chan has been under martial law since Aug 28, as it was one of the flash points in the border dispute with Cambodia. The decision to impose martial law in the area was taken in response to reports which claimed Cambodia was mobilising its citizens to cause disturbances along the border in Sa Kaeo. As such, the government has full authority to restrict access to the area and ensure that all activities taking place in the village align with national security and peacekeeping goals.
Make no mistake, Mr Guntouch has a reason to get angry and question the sincerity of our neighbour. When the conflict erupted in July, Thais witnessed schools and hospitals along the border being hit by Cambodian artillery. Thai soldiers have been maimed by landmines, which are believed to have been planted by Cambodian soldiers.
That said, the army must ensure any campaigns in the area align with the country’s national security policies. Mr Guntouch’s campaign — no matter how patriotic it is — could cause a diplomatic backlash and spur hatred among civilians living along the border.
We must remember the ongoing conflict is between the two governments — not the people of the two countries.
The question now is, why did the army allow the activist to launch such a campaign in a conflict zone?
The army’s response was deeply worrying.
Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said Thai civilians are simply voicing their discontent — non-violently — against the encroachment by Cambodia.
One must now ask, does this eye-for-an-eye approach align with Thailand’s pro-peace, diplomatic strategy?
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul must urgently look into this complaint and ensure our armed forces use the martial law declaration to foster peace, not raise tensions, in conflict areas.