10/17/2025
Thailand Resumes Extreme Noise Broadcasts Targeting Residents of Chouk Chey Village
(Banteay Meanchey): On October 17, 2025, Thailand resumed broadcasting extreme and disturbing sounds toward residents of Chouk Chey village.
From October 10 to 13, 2025, Thai extremists, backed by the Thai military and Sa Kaeo provincial authorities, had previously broadcast disruptive noise targeting Cambodian residents in Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages. After receiving widespread condemnation from the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, human rights activists, members of the Thai Senate, and Thai politicians, the broadcasts were suspended for three nights.
At around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, Thai extremists again with the backing of the Thai military and Sa Kaeo provincial authorities resumed the noise broadcasts directed toward Cambodian citizens in Chouk Chey village, the same area where Thailand had previously encroached upon Cambodian territory, seizing farmland, rice fields, and homes belonging to local residents.
This renewed assault was executed using four vehicles outfitted with powerful loudspeakers. One unit was elevated roughly 30 meters to amplify sound projection across the border, while the remaining three were positioned at ground level.
Reports indicate that these loudspeakers emitted sound waves reaching approximately 500 decibels, the highest possible level, capable of being heard up to 30 kilometers away. Generally, the human ear can safely tolerate sound levels up to around 100 decibels. Exposure to sound waves as high as 500 decibels can cause eardrum rupture, severe headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Such broadcasts constitute a serious violation of human rights and amount to a form of psychological torture, which is prohibited under the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages are home to more than 3,000 residents, including the elderly, people with disabilities, those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. The powerful sound waves have caused severe physical and psychological impacts on the affected villagers.
Observers of the Cambodia–Thailand border situation have called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to take urgent action to halt these grave human rights violations.
It is important to note that the broadcasts did not affect Thai villagers, as the loudspeakers were deliberately aimed toward Cambodian territory, and Thai residential areas lie far from the broadcasting site.
