Thailand’s parliament yesterday said that it would investigate a senior politician and former army chief after he was filmed slapping a reporter as she tried to ask him questions.
Prawit Wongsuwan lashed out at a journalist from public broadcaster ThaiPBS on Friday last week as she asked him about the appointment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the kingdom’s new prime minister, video showed.
The 79-year-old was seen hitting Duangthip Yiamphop around the head as he left a building, saying: “What are you asking? What? What?”
Photo: AFP
Prawit, Thailand’s army chief in the early 2000s, was one of the architects of the 2014 coup that ousted Paetongtarn’s aunt, then-Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. He went on to serve as deputy prime minister under the military-backed government that ruled until last year.
The Thai parliament said in a statement that it would investigate the slapping after ThaiPBS made a formal complaint.
Prawit could potentially face suspension as a member of parliament or even a lifetime ban if he is found guilty of a serious ethical violation.
The Thai Journalists’ Association condemned Prawit for using “violence against a journalist.”
“The Thai Journalists’ Association considers his actions to be threatening and harassing toward the rights and freedom of the press,” it said in a statement.
Noppadol Srihatai, the executive editor of ThaiPBS, told reporters that Prawit’s actions “threaten journalism.”
“He was seen hurting a reporter and we cannot accept it. As a public organization, we must protect journalists’ rights so that media work won’t be affected in the future,” Noppadol said.
Prawit has apologized to the reporter, saying he “did not have any bad intention.”
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