An powerful Thai politician was caught on camera smacking a female reporter after she asked him a question, prompting an official investigation into his actions.
Prawit Wongsuwon, 79, a veteran MP and former army leader, repeatedly attacked the woman while she was accompanied by other journalists last week.
“This behaviour is physical harassment,” said Tewarit Maneechai, a lawmaker who had demanded a parliamentary investigation into Thai politician’s actions.
“It is also disrespectful to a journalist who was doing her work,” she said.
The event occurred on August 16, just after the Pheu Thai Party’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra was elected prime minister.
Ms. Paetongtarn, 37, will be Thailand’s youngest ever premier and the third from the affluent Shinawatra family, with whom Mr. Prawit has a strained relationship.
The female TV interviewer asked Mr Prawit, who leads the Palang Pracharat Party and did not attend the poll, about his thoughts on the victory.
He snapped back, “What are you asking? “What are you asking?” TV footage shows him hitting her on the head multiple times.
Piya Tavichai, a Palang Pracharat spokeswoman, stated that Thai politician knew the reporter well and has apologised, adding that he will clarify the facts in any parliamentary process.
“He was teasing her as someone he is close to,” Mr Piya explained. “Because he was a soldier, the teasing could appear to be violent but those close to him know that he teases like this all the time.”
ThaiPBS Calls for Prawit to Take Responsibility
The event sparked considerable outrage among Thailand’s media. ThaiPBS, the country’s state broadcaster, has urged Mr Prawit to accept responsibility for his actions.
Mr Prawit is a legendary political dealmaker and a key actor in Thailand’s two decades of political turmoil. Following his involvement in the 2014 coup, he served as deputy prime minister for nine years.
Senator Tewarit stated that he had requested an ethical investigation on Mr Prawit through the Senate, which would be forwarded to the lower house of parliament, which will have 30 days to reply.
He said he didn’t know what punishment Mr Prawit might face if proven guilty.
Source: BangkokPost
