A Thai senator has called for a parliamentary investigation into Prawit Wongsuwon, a veteran politician and former army chief, after he struck a television reporter on the head. The incident, which occurred on Friday, involved a female reporter and was widely circulated via video footage. Prawit, 79, has played a significant role in Thailand’s political landscape, participating in the last two coups and serving as deputy prime minister for nine years following the 2014 coup. He currently leads the Palang Pracharat Party.
Senator Tewarit Maneechai, who initiated the request for an ethics probe, described the act as physical harassment and disrespectful to the journalist by Wongsuwon. The senator stressed the importance of investigating the incident, noting that Prawit must be held accountable for his actions. Palang Pracharat Party spokesman Piya Tavichai explained that Prawit had a familiar relationship with the reporter and had since apologised. He suggested that Prawit’s military background might have influenced his actions, which were intended as teasing.
The reporter, who works for ThaiPBS, and Prawit were unavailable for comment. The event has drawn widespread condemnation from Thailand’s media community, with ThaiPBS urging Prawit to take responsibility. Senator Tewarit has formally requested the Senate to push the investigation forward to the lower house of parliament, which has 30 days to respond. The outcome and potential penalties for Prawit remain uncertain.
#Thailand: Women Press Freedom strongly condemns Thai politician Prawit Wongsuwon for slapping @ThaiPBSWorld journalist #DuangthipYiamphop as she approached him with a question. This violent behavior is unacceptable, especially from an elected official. We demand immediate… pic.twitter.com/PetROVWw0V
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) August 19, 2024
According to the ethics code for Thai parliamentarians, members should respect others’ rights and liberties and avoid threats, malice, or violence. The incident by Wongsuwon happened shortly after Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party won a parliamentary vote to become prime minister. Prawit, who did not attend the vote, reacted to questions about the victory by striking the reporter and asking, “What are you asking? What are you asking?”
Other Perspective
- Devdiscourse reports that a Thai senator has called for an investigation into the assault of a reporter by lawmakers, highlighting a breach of press freedom.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened between Prawit Wongsuwon and the reporter?
Prawit Wongsuwon struck a female television reporter on the head after she asked him a question.
Who is Prawit Wongsuwon?
Prawit Wongsuwon is a veteran politician, former army chief, and leader of the Palang Pracharat Party.
What was the reaction to Prawit Wongsuwon’s actions?
The incident sparked widespread condemnation from Thailand’s media community.
What did Prawit Wongsuwon say in his defense?
Prawit’s spokesman said he was teasing the reporter, whom he knows well, and has apologized.
What is the next step following the incident?
A senator has requested a parliamentary ethics probe into Prawit’s actions.