BANGKOK, Aug. 8 -- Thai actress Panadda Wongphudee is her country's newest secret weapon to fight misinformation released by neighbouring Cambodia amid a fragile peace deal to end recent border hostilities.

Thai Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit announced Panadda as the ad-hoc spokesman today and emphasised her role to provide a timely response to statements made by Lt Gen Maly Socheata, the representative for Cambodia's National Defence Ministry.

"This appointment is to counter Lt Gen Maly," Nattaphon was quoted by The Bangkok Post as saying in a press conference at Government House today.

"At least I am confident that we hold one advantage over Cambodia: she is more beautiful," he added.

Panadda was Miss Thailand 2000 and...