GENEVA – Cambodia has submitted an urgent appeal to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, formally accusing the Thai military of employing “psychological intimidation” against Cambodian civilians residing along the contested border. The complaint, filed by the Cambodian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), alleges the use of disturbing sound broadcasts as a tactic of harassment.

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In a letter addressed to UN High Commissioner Volker Türk, the CHRC detailed what it described as “credible reports” from residents of Prey Chan and Chouk Chey villages in Banteay Meanchey province. The commission stated that units of the Royal Thai Armed Forces broadcast haunting sounds resembling wailing ghosts through large loudspeakers between 10:44 p.m. and 12:04 a.m., followed by continuous aircraft engine noises from 3:22 a.m. to 3:53 a.m., deliberately directed toward Cambodian communities.

Cambodia has submitted an urgent appeal to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemning what it describes as the use of “disturbing sounds” by the Thai military as a form of psychological intimidation and harassment against Cambodian civilians living along… pic.twitter.com/6v6s4A96Ur

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According to the CHRC, these actions have severely disrupted daily life for border residents, causing widespread anxiety, sleep deprivation, and distress, particularly among vulnerable groups including women, children, and the elderly. The commission condemned the alleged tactics as having “no place in any civilized society” and standing in direct contradiction to the principles of the United Nations Charter. It called for an immediate UN investigation to ensure accountability and demand the cessation of all forms of psychological intimidation.

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The sound broadcasts are reportedly linked to an ongoing campaign by a group of Thai nationalist activists aiming to pressure Cambodian villagers to withdraw from areas claimed by Thailand. The Thai military has previously distanced itself from these activities. Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra has publicly condemned the acts, characterizing them as a serious form of “sound pollution” and a grave violation of basic human rights. Local residents and officials have joined calls for Thai authorities to intervene and prevent further occurrences of what they describe as unacceptable behavior between neighboring nations with shared cultural and historical ties.

-Thailand News (TN)