Court Orders Military Intel Unit to Pay Activists for Defamation
A recent court ruling has mandated that the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), a military intelligence agency, compensate two prominent women for reputational damage caused by an information operations (IO) campaign. The court ordered ISOC to pay over 200,000 baht, plus legal interest, to Angkhana Neelapaijit, now a senator, and 90,000 baht plus interest to Anchana Heemmina, a well-known activist operating in Thailand’s southern provinces.
Damaging Information Campaign
The lawsuit stems from an ISOC information campaign initiated in 2017. This taxpayer-funded initiative disseminated photographs and information targeting activists, civil society members, and human rights defenders. A specific media platform used in the campaign was dedicated to attacking women human rights defenders, including Ms. Neelapaijit and Ms. Heemmina.
While Ms. Neelapaijit’s name was not explicitly mentioned in the ISOC materials, her photograph was published alongside misleading and false headlines. These headlines were designed to incite hatred towards her and other human rights advocates. Parliamentary budget debates revealed that across three fiscal years, ISOC launched 140 campaigns against opposing or dissenting groups.
Undermining Peace Efforts and Diverting Scrutiny
The information campaign conducted by ISOC in the South has been described as not only damaging to reputations but also as severely undermining government efforts to address violence in the Deep South. Furthermore, the IO served as a diversion, drawing public attention away from instances of arbitrary state detention and the opaque budget allocated to ISOC.
The escalating conflict between state security apparatuses and local political activists has inadvertently benefited insurgent groups. These groups have exploited the internal discord to foster greater distrust in ISOC and the army among local communities.
History of Controversial Operations
ISOC, much like the broader military and other security agencies, has a history of involvement in controversial operations. Numerous individuals, including politicians and political activists, have lodged complaints regarding IO operations aimed at discrediting opponents as state enemies or national security threats.
Last year, a group of activists and academics filed a complaint with the Administrative Court against a military IO that targeted them. While the court acknowledged that certain military elements had employed IO methods, it found insufficient evidence of direct orders from superiors. The ruling suggested that lower-ranking officers acted independently due to personal disagreements with the plaintiffs.
Public Scrutiny and Book Controversy
ISOC also faced significant public attention last year following the release of the book “Infiltrating Society: The Thai Military’s Internal Security Affairs.” Authored by Puangthong Pawakapan, an academic from Chulalongkorn University, the book highlighted the agency’s extensive power and its surveillance of civilian matters. ISOC attempted to counter the professor’s narrative, questioned her research methods, and sought to halt the book launch. These actions drew negative attention and backfired, further tarnishing the agency’s image.
Recent Incidents and Journalist Harassment
More recently, ISOC became embroiled in controversy following an assassination attempt on a southern politician. A vehicle used by the assailants, identified as former marines and security officers, was found to be registered to ISOC. Subsequently, a prominent journalist covering the incident reported becoming a victim of a military IO campaign.
Call for Acceptance and Reform
Following the recent court ruling, ISOC issued a brief statement indicating its acquiescence to the sentence without providing further details. It remains unclear if the agency intends to appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court. However, it is argued that further appeals would only prolong the process of accountability.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as ISOC director, is urged to ensure the agency fully accepts the ruling without condition. This ruling presents an opportunity for ISOC to review its mandate, rectify past misconduct, and pursue necessary reforms to remain relevant in contemporary society.
