Bangkok: Senator Angkana Neelapaijit has raised concerns over the consequences of inciting hatred, especially in the context of border tensions. She explained that her warnings were issued with good intentions, aiming to prevent minor issues from escalating into significant obstacles during negotiations and conflict resolution efforts.
According to Thai News Agency, Senator Angkana expressed her views on the negative trend following her comments about the psychological impact of creating fear in border areas. She highlighted that such actions could be considered psychological torture under the CAT Convention, to which Thailand is a signatory. Senator Angkana emphasized the necessity of questioning the benefits of inciting hatred, pointing out that future border reopening will require cooperation and goodwill among neighboring communities.
Senator Angkana, who has extensive experience as a human rights worker, reiterated her commitment to transparency and the dissemination of information. She explained that her recent posts were a legal sharing of information, originally sent by the Cambodian Human Rights Commissioner to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She insisted on the importance of public awareness regarding incidents and complaints that have been lodged.
The senator cited the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture’s report, which defines torture as encompassing both physical and psychological aspects. She warned that the psychological impacts of fear-inducing actions could be raised by Cambodia in international forums, affecting problem-solving efforts at various levels. She urged that anything not beneficial to Thailand should not be used as a condition in negotiations.
Addressing a recent incident where Thai civilians were harmed by misdirected military fire, Senator Angkana acknowledged the severity of the mistake under international humanitarian law, which prioritizes civilian protection. In response to the incident, Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets, resulting in casualties among Cambodian soldiers. She noted the lack of information about civilian casualties but confirmed the deaths of military personnel along the border.
Senator Angkana also commented on social media reactions to her warnings, stating that while honest criticism is a right, malicious comments inciting hatred are illegal. She questioned the feasibility of allowing civilians into martial law areas and stressed the importance of having courageous individuals who are willing to issue necessary warnings for the country’s best interest.