Thailand’s parliament stated it could examine a senior politician and former military chief after he was filmed slapping a reporter as she tried to ask him questions.
Prawit Wongsuwon lashed out at a journalist from the general public broadcaster, ThaiPBS, on Friday as she requested him in regards to the appointment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the dominion’s new prime minister.
Prawit, 79, was filmed hitting Duangthip Yiamphop a number of instances across the head as he left a constructing, demanding: “What are you asking? What? What?”
Prawit, who was Thailand’s military chief within the early 2000s, was one of many architects of the 2014 coup that ousted Paetongtarn’s aunt and then-PM, Yingluck Shinawatra.
He went on to function deputy prime minister beneath the military-backed authorities that dominated till final 12 months.
The Thai parliament stated in an announcement that it could examine the slapping after ThaiPBS made a proper criticism.
Prawit may face suspension as an MP or perhaps a lifetime ban if he’s discovered responsible of a critical moral violation.
The Thai Journalists’ Affiliation condemned Prawit for utilizing “violence in opposition to a journalist”.
“The Thai Journalists’ Affiliation considers his actions to be threatening and harassing towards the rights and freedom of the press,” it stated in an announcement.
Noppadol Srihatai, the chief editor of ThaiPBS, instructed reporters that Prawit’s actions “threaten journalism”.
“He was seen hurting a reporter and we can’t settle for it. As a public organisation, we should shield journalists’ rights in order that media work gained’t be affected sooner or later,” Noppadol stated.
Prawit has apologised to Duangthip, saying he “didn’t have any dangerous intention”.
He has been one among Thailand’s most influential dealmakers over the previous 20 years of turbulence and a key determine within the kingdom’s conservative pro-military, pro-royalist institution.
He was topic to a graft investigation in 2018 over his assortment of luxurious watches after on-line sleuths discovered outdated images of him sporting a minimum of 22 completely different timepieces, together with 11 Rolexes, however the Nationwide Anti-Corruption Fee dropped the case.
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