Thailand designates actress Panadda for countering Cambodia's defense spokesperson's claims
Thailand and Cambodia have reiterated their pledge to restore peace at their border following a General Border Committee meeting. In a significant move, Thailand has appointed former Miss Thailand 2000, Panadda Wongphudee, as a spokeswoman for the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation.
Panadda Wongphudee, a 49-year-old actress, social activist, and TV host, has been tasked with countering what Thai authorities call "fake news" allegedly spread by Cambodia amid recent border clashes. Her appointment reflects Thailand’s intention to combat propaganda while providing accurate, on-the-ground reports about the situation.
Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit, the deputy minister of defense, made the public introduction of Panadda Wongphudee. He stated that Thailand has an advantage over Cambodia in the war of words because Panadda Wongphudee is more beautiful. The Thai security authorities will supply her with information to counter Cambodia on her online platforms.
Panadda’s responsibilities include acting as a clear intermediary between the military, media, public, and international audiences. She will relay factual updates and address concerns in affected border provinces, leveraging her public profile and social work experience to support the communication effort on the border situation.
Lt Gen Maly Socheata, Cambodia's National Defence Ministry spokeswoman, has been a key person sending alleged fake news to the international community, according to Thai officials. The armed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia ended on July 28, and they reached a ceasefire agreement on the same day. However, the appointment of Panadda Wongphudee was made one day after the General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The clashes resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians and 15 soldiers on the Thai side, and 53 people and 230 soldiers were injured. Despite the formal truce, tensions remain, as evidenced by the swift appointment of Panadda Wongphudee to manage narratives around the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict.
In sum, Panadda Wongphudee serves as a key figure in Thailand’s strategic communications, countering Cambodian misinformation claims and promoting Thailand’s position both domestically and internationally.
- The appointment of Panadda Wongphudee, a 49-year-old actress, social activist, and TV host, as a spokeswoman for the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, signifies Thailand's intention to engage in strategic communications through politics and general news to counter the alleged fake news spread by Cambodia during war-and-conflicts.
- As a key figure in Thailand’s strategic communications, Panadda Wongphudee, formerly Miss Thailand 2000, is tasked with countering Cambodian misinformation claims and promoting Thailand’s position both domestically and internationally, contributing to the broader context of regional politics and general news surrounding the Thailand-Cambodia border conflicts.
