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QUIETENING DOWN: Mr Samak plans to stop his twice-weekly press conferences. -- PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
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THAILAND'S pugnacious prime minister said he will stop his twice-a-week news conferences after criticism about his blunt and sometimes crude language.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej - noted for hurling earthy epithets at his critics and the press - said on Wednesday that a prominent Thai figure had told him to tone down his language.
He did not name the person.
'He said he has never seen any prime minister who speaks so crudely and rudely before,' he told reporters.
'I don't want to give interviews any more.
'I was told that my language is foul, so the solution is to not speak.'
Mr Samak, 72, said he was also asked to tone down the language he uses during his one-man Sunday television and radio talk shows.
He said he did not consider himself rude despite his use of phrases with sexual connotations or double meanings.
'I am a straight talker,' he insisted.
His long-standing bent for speaking bluntly has won him popularity with working-class and some middle-class voters during his four decades in Thai politics.
However, many dislike him and find his style too provocative and crude.
Mr Samak, who usually espouses right-wing positions, has in the past berated the press for being a 'burden on development' and complained that reporters asked 'lousy' questions.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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