Irked Thai PM sprays reporters with hand sanitiser to duck tricky questions

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha sprays hand sanitizer at front row journalists to avert answering questions on the latest Cabinet reshuffle in Bangkok, Thailand, March 9, 2021. Thai Government House/Handout via REUTERS

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha left reporters stunned and amused on Tuesday when he interrupted his own news conference to spray them with hand sanitiser in a bid to dodge tough questions.

Prayuth became frustrated when asked about a list of potential candidates for vacant cabinet posts, following last week's jailing of three of his ministers for insurrection during protests seven years ago.

"Is there anything else to ask?," he said, standing at a podium. "I don't know, I haven't seen it. Isn't it something the prime minister should know first?"

In the live briefing, Prayuth then left the podium, grabbed a small bottle of sanitiser, casually walked over to the journalists and sprayed each of them while holding a surgical mask in front of his face.

Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday, sprayed hand sanitizer at journalists to avert answering questions on the latest cabinet reshuffle after three former ministers were stripped of cabinet posts last month.

Prayuth, a former military coup leader, is known for his casual, at times comical, remarks to media but he often lashes out at reporters.

He was later filmed speaking with the same group of journalists and looking increasingly vexed, talking inaudibly while spraying them with broad sweeps of his hand before walking off again.

(Reporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa; Writing by Martin Petty, editing by Ed Osmond)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-11

 

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Showing his true colours.

One arrogant person.

Moved on from chucking banana skins at journo's then ..

Is there an imoji for a smiling,head shaking facepalm

You have to admire the man's social skills...

At least his hands are clean

He is the free and fairly elected leader of the country,give him a break.

So many problems to deal with, Covid, deadly smog,  no tourists etc.

What's a little petulant temper tantrum every day?

He must be so proud. 

This has been reported in all the international media. Embarrassing and a complete jerk

3 hours ago, webfact said:

but he often lashes out at reporters.

low intelligence, military general, a bit of a megalomaniac, not a particularly good leader; quite the resume

I imagine if someone had done that to him they would be arrested. Double standards as usual. It really shows the true character of the man.

He needs to be locked up for many reasons including hurting the nation's image. If he is not punished with jail, at the least, Thailand is hopeless. How could such a pathetic clown get in control of Thailand?

Does this mean that Thai teachers and employers can now do this to their students without worry? Heck why be so limited, everyone in Thailand should do this. Bothered by someone on the BTS? Spray that person and walk away. Not happy with your kids, spray 'em down.

Case Of Dirty Journalists..

For goodness sake don't let the Australian PM Morrison know about this trick. He is a master at not answering questions from journalists.

 

Pathetic little man. 

Oh what a wag he is!

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

free and fairly elected leader

OK you can wake up now!

2 hours ago, onebir said:

At least his hands are clean

Apart from using the guns paid for by the Thai people to steal the entire country from the Thai people, yes.

just sharing the Song Khran spirit a little early and in a sanitary way. What a man! lol 

This video is all over global social mdia. Not a good look for Thighland, but at least better than the military in Myanmar, so there's that.

The behavior of a man child, who his entire life has demanded fealty from his subordinates. We are all his subordinates, from his point of view. He is ill equipped for the job he has. He is incompetent on a dozen levels, and mentally unfit. He really needs to be replaced with someone that is capable and earnest. 

2 hours ago, onebir said:

At least his hands are clean

Are you sure? 

What next, cardboard cutouts and red/green bats??

 

1 hour ago, TooBigToFit said:

He needs to be locked up for many reasons including hurting the nation's image. If he is not punished with jail, at the least, Thailand is hopeless. How could such a pathetic clown get in control of Thailand?

Big tanks and guns - it requires very little intelligence????

2 hours ago, onebir said:

At least his hands are clean

 

Yes, that's what the Supreme Court "decided".

 

Suthep's hands clean too.

 

 

..... at least there was no dye or mace in the spray.

The Thai prime minister needs to be replaced by his cardboard cutout .

 

 

For the most part, this is just another in a series of missteps that is a black eye for Thailand, in the eyes of the world. Really, the only positive thing the world has seen from Thailand in the past year, was its performance with Covid. And the catastrophic army failure in addressing the Samut event, erased all of that.

So, we are back to zero, from the zero men of the army. Prayuth. Moving Thailand backwards at an alarming pace. 

4 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

Moved on from chucking banana skins at journo's then ..

Moved on is what he should be.

What sad/ pathetic behaviour from a sad/ pathetic person.

To think he is supposedly running the country.