Panadda vs Maly: Thailand counters Cambodia with new voice

Former Miss Thailand Panadda Wongphudee has been added to the team of spokespersons for the Thai centre on the Thai-Cambodian situation as a volunteer, acting Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Nakpanich revealed today.

The general introduced Panadda, president of the Good Deeds Organisation, to the media today as a counter voice to Lt Gen Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s National Defence Ministry.

“Khun Panadda will help respond to online disinformation, while my team and I will support her with information and briefings,” he said.

Maly Socheata has been criticised by Thai netizens for spreading groundless accusations about Thailand amid the ongoing border tension.

Her daily briefings are widely considered to contain fabricated claims, including accusing the Thai Army of using chemical weapons and spraying toxic substances in Cambodian territory.

Gen Nattaphon stated that Panadda is already active in four provinces along the Thai-Cambodian border and has agreed to assist with online responses, supported by his team.

Meanwhile, Panadda expressed appreciation for the opportunity, saying that she accepted the role because she had long been present in the affected areas and has witnessed the suffering of local communities, as well as the endurance of Thai soldiers.

She said she wants to serve as a clear communication bridge between the public, the military and the international community.

“Soldiers have told me that, if there’s anyone who can go toe-to-toe with the other side, it’s me. I’m happy to step in and do this for Thailand,” she said.

Panadda emphasised that she is not afraid of pushing back against fake news, adding that she is a straightforward and transparent person. She pledged that all content published on her platform will be based solely on facts.

Following news of her appointment, however, many Thai netizens harshly criticised the decision, particularly the reasoning that she was appointed to counter Maly.

They also referred to the 13-point agreement, co-signed by Gen. Nattaphon and his Cambodian counterpart, Tea Seiha, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

One of the points states that both countries agree to refrain from provocative actions that could escalate tensions.