A prominent Thai politician, Prawit Wongsuwon, is under formal investigation after being caught on camera slapping a female reporter during an interview. The incident, which has sparked outrage and demands for accountability, occurred last week and has drawn widespread condemnation from Thailand’s media community.
Prawit Wongsuwon, a 79-year-old Member of Parliament and former army chief, was filmed striking the female journalist several times in front of other reporters. The incident took place on August 16, shortly after Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a member of the Pheu Thai Party, was elected as Thailand’s prime minister, becoming the youngest leader in the country’s history at the age of 37.
The altercation began when the reporter asked Prawit for his thoughts on Paetongtarn’s victory. In response, Prawit, visibly agitated, snapped, "What are you asking? What are you asking?" before hitting the reporter multiple times on the head, as captured in the TV footage.
The incident has been labeled as "physical harassment" by Tewarit Maneechai, a Thai senator who has called for a parliamentary investigation into Prawit’s actions. "It is also disrespectful to a journalist who was doing her work," Tewarit added.
Piya Tavichai, a spokesperson for the Palang Pracharat Party, which Prawit leads, attempted to downplay the incident, stating that Prawit knew the reporter well and had apologized. He described the behavior as "teasing" that might appear aggressive due to Prawit's military background, but insisted that those close to him understand his intent.
Despite these explanations, the incident has fueled criticism from media organizations across Thailand. Thai PBS, the national public broadcaster, has called on Prawit to take responsibility for his actions.
Prawit Wongsuwon is a significant figure in Thailand’s political landscape, having served as Deputy Prime Minister for nine years following a military coup in 2014 in which he played a key role. His influence in the country’s political sphere has been substantial, particularly during times of political unrest.
Senator Tewarit has requested an ethics investigation into Prawit’s conduct, which has been forwarded to the Senate and will be presented to the lower house of parliament. The lower house is expected to respond within 30 days. The potential consequences for Prawit, if found guilty, remain uncertain.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Thailand’s political environment, where media freedoms and the treatment of journalists have increasingly come under scrutiny.
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🇹🇠Watch: Thai MP slaps reporter after she asked question he did not like
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 21, 2024
Formal investigation launched into the conduct of Prawit Wongsuwon after being accused of physical harassment
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