Parliamentary investigation sought after influential Thai general hits journalist
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Thai senator Prawit Wongsuwon hit the female reporter on Aug 16 while surrounded by journalists.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BANGKOK - A senator in Thailand on Aug 20 formally requested a parliamentary investigation into a veteran politician and former army chief who struck a television reporter on the head after she asked him a question.
Mr Prawit Wongsuwon, 79, a lawmaker and former deputy premier who was involved in the last two coups in Thailand, hit the female reporter on Aug 16 while surrounded by journalists, video footage of which was widely circulated.
A notorious political dealmaker and a central figure in Thailand’s two decades of political strife, Mr Prawit, who leads the Palang Pracharath Party, served in the last junta and was deputy prime minister for nine years after a 2014 coup.
“This behaviour is physical harassment,” said Senator Tewarit Maneechai, who told Reuters he had requested an ethics probe be conducted into Mr Prawit.
“It is also disrespectful to a journalist who was doing her work,” he added.
Palang Pracharath Party spokesman Piya Tavichai said Mr Prawit knew the reporter well and has apologised, adding he could clarify the facts in any parliamentary process.
“He was teasing her as someone who he is close to,” Mr Piya said. “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.”
Mr Prawit and the reporter, who works for broadcaster Thai PBS, could not be reached for comment.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation from Thailand’s media community. Thai PBS asked Mr Prawit to take responsibility for his actions.
Senator Tewarit said he requested an investigation into Mr Prawit through the Senate to be conveyed to the Lower House of Parliament, which will have 30 days to respond. He said he was unsure what penalty Mr Prawit would face if found guilty.
The ethics code for Thai parliamentarians states members should respect the rights and liberty of others and refrain from threats, showing malice or use of force to harm others.
The incident happened on Aug 16 moments after the Pheu Thai Party’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra won a vote in Parliament to become prime minister, Thailand’s third premier from the billionaire Shinawatra family, with which Mr Prawit has a bitter history.
Before striking the reporter, television footage showed Mr Prawit, who did not attend the vote, being asked his thoughts on Ms Paetongtarn’s victory, to which he replied: “What are you asking? What are you asking?” REUTERS
