PHNOM PENH: After three nights of peaceful silence, on Friday (Oct 17) night, Thailand resumed broadcasting loud noises across the border at the residents of Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages along the border in Banteay Meanchey province.
“At around 5.30pm, Thai extremists, reportedly supported by the Thai military and Sa Kaeo provincial authorities, used four loudspeakers mounted about 30 metres high, supported by three trucks, to blast high-volume sound toward the Cambodian side,” said local authorities.
The harassment follows earlier incidents from Oct 10 to 13, which drew backlash from the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, activists, senators and even Thai politicians.
The noise campaign halted briefly, before resuming on Friday.
The recent sound emissions were estimated incredibly high decibel levels, and could be heard nearly 30 kilometres away — an intensity that experts say is far beyond human tolerance and physically impossible to endure without long-term effects.
The Thai campaign has reportedly already caused hearing loss, headaches, dizziness and nausea, particularly among vulnerable members of the population, such as children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Chok Chey and Prey Chan villages, located in Ou Chrov district, are home to more than 3,000 residents, including families, elderly citizens and people with disabilities.
Many have reported sleepless nights, anxiety and distress since the harassment began earlier this month.
Border observers and rights defenders have urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to intervene immediately and demand that Thailand halt what they describe as an “intentional act of intimidation” targeting Cambodian civilians. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
