The use of loud and disturbing sounds, aimed towards Cambodia by Thai villagers in Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Sa Kao province, is a non-violent way of expressing their dissatisfaction with the encroachment onto Thai territory by Cambodian people, Army Spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree said today.
Winthai’s statement was in response to a complaint, made today by Lt-Gen Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Defence Ministry, to the Interim Observer Team (IOT), during a visit to Prey Chan in Banteay Meanchey province, opposite Ban Nong Ya Kaew.
A letter of complaint was addressed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights by the Cambodian Human Rights Commission.
She told the IOT members that the disturbing sounds emanating from the Thai side of the border had caused panic and disturbed the rest time of Cambodian civilians, especially the vulnerable, which violates human rights principles.
The disturbing sounds resemble wailing ghosts, from 10.44pm until 12.04am, followed by continuous aircraft engine noises, from 3.22am to 3.53am.
Winthai explained that it should be understood by all parties that the situation in the area is not normal, because it is Thai territory which has been encroached upon by Cambodian settlers for a long time, adding that, over the past several years, Cambodia has declined to resolve the problem.
Instead, he alleged that Cambodia has resorted to aggressive means, such as orchestrating protests by its people, and some protesters have injured Thai officials.
He insisted that Thai officials have always exercised restraint, to avoid causing harm to Cambodian civilians in their attempts to resolve the encroachment issue.
