PPP scandal: Prawit defends reporter assault as a joke (video)

[webfact]

Palang Pracharath Party (PPP) leader Prawit Wongsuwan responded to critics demanding the politician be held accountable for assaulting a female reporter on Friday, August 16, saying he was only joking and teasing the reporter, with whom he was familiar.

 

Multiple videos of the PPP leader, Prawit, striking the female Thai reporter on the head were shared on social media on Friday. The incident quickly became a hot topic, rivalling the appointment of Thailand’s new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

The incident occurred after the journalist asked Prawit for his opinion following Paetongtarn’s appointment as Thailand’s 31st PM. Prawit appeared unhappy with the line of questioning and was seen striking the reporter on the head.

 

The Thai PBS platform later issued an official statement condemning Prawit’s actions and called on him to take responsibility for the incident.

The news agency also urged the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (Thaibja), and the National Press Council of Thailand to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future and to protect the rights and safety of Thai journalists.

ThaiRath later reported that Prawit ordered Nut Intaracharoen, a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, to call Thai PBS before taking over the call himself.

 

Previous drama

 

According to the report, Prawit claimed that he had no intention of physically assaulting the reporter, insisting that his actions were in jest, as he often teased and joked with reporters he knew well.

 

However, the Thai Radio and Television Journalists Association, along with Thaibja, found that Prawit’s actions went beyond the teasing and joking he claimed. The two organisations intend to request an investigation into Prawit’s violation of political ethics standards.

Prawit previously caused controversy among Thai journalists last year when he allegedly insulted a journalist who had graduated from the Rajabhat University system.

 

The alleged insult occurred after the journalist asked Prawit how Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn was suited to be a minister. Prawit responded that Chaiwut was perfectly suited for the position because he had graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, and then asked where the journalist had graduated from.

 

Prawit later defended himself, claiming that he asked the question to highlight that everyone has their talents and skills, regardless of where they graduated.

 

UPDATE 1: Prawit under fire for alleged reporter intimidation (video)

Palang Pracharath party leader General Prawit Wongsuwan finds himself in hot water after allegedly intimidating a Thai PBS reporter. The incident, which has sparked outrage, is now being condemned by both Thai PBS and the Thai Journalists’ Association (TJA).

 

General Prawit, who harboured ambitions of becoming Thailand’s prime minister, was visibly agitated when the reporter questioned him about the live broadcast of MPs voting for Pheu Thai party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the nation’s 31st prime minister. The tension reached a boiling point when, in a video clip that has since gone viral, General Prawit is seen grabbing the reporter’s head while repeatedly demanding, “What’s the question?”

 

Thai PBS swiftly issued a statement denouncing the incident, highlighting that their reporter was merely performing her professional duties.

“The physical assault was unacceptable.”

 

The broadcaster emphasised the psychological toll the incident has likely taken on the reporter and other journalists.

 

The station has now called on General Prawit to take responsibility for his actions, which they deem as crossing the line into intimidation.

 

Echoing these sentiments, the TJA has also slammed General Prawit’s behaviour, labelling it an affront to the free expression of reporters who were simply doing their job. In their statement, the TJA demanded that the former deputy prime minister own up to his reprehensible conduct.

 

The TJA further urged all individuals, especially those in positions of power, to show respect for other professions and to exercise caution in expressing anger, which can have far-reaching negative consequences, reported Thai PBS World.

 

 

@bangkokpost.official Gen Prawit Wongsuwon slaps a reporter several times after being asked about the PM vote on Friday. #PrimeMinister #Prawit #Thailand #Parliament #ThaiPolitics #Journalist #Reporter #นักข่าว #บิ๊กป้อม #ลุงป้อม #ประวิตร #นายกรัฐมนตรีคนที่31 #อุ๊งอิ๊ง #แพทองธาร #ประวิตรวงษ์สุวรรณ #ข่าวการเมือง #ข่าวการเมืองไทย #ตบหัว #ข่าวtiktok #ข่าววันนี้ #ข่าวด่วน ♬ original sound - Bangkok Post

 

 

by Petch Petpailin
Photo via Matichon

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-19

 

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[JoePai]

Nasty little man

[mfd101]

Just a joke? B/S.

[Artisi]

Another useless self-entitled cretin, needs one-way trip to the knackers yard. 

[Will B Good]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

saying he was only joking

 

 

He does look like he could carry off the part of a joker.....a Thai Tommy Ball maybe.......?

 

 

[MalcolmB]

It was a very limp wristed attack. Not much in it.

 

Prawit has never been married and loves jewelry.

 

Just sayin.

[petermik]

32 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

He does look like he could carry off the part of a joker.....a Thai Tommy Ball maybe.......?

 

 

It was Bobby Ball and Tommy Cannon...........

[TheFishman1]

Just give her one of your million bht watches TIT

[advancebooking]

old dinosaur who feels so important and powerful. she should have slapped him in the face

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

According to the report, Prawit claimed that he had no intention of physically assaulting the reporter, insisting that his actions were in jest, as he often teased and joked with reporters he knew well.

Yeah okay... 

[billd766]

Simply another self entitled dinosaur general long past his 'scrap by this date' target.

 

Yet still living rent free, in an army house that some other useless general could use.

[nakhonandy]

59 minutes ago, advancebooking said:

old dinosaur who feels so important and powerful. she should have slapped him in the face

She should certainly pursue this legally.

[spidermike007]

The real joke here is Prawit himself, and the joke on the nation is the fact that this man, this goon, this incompetent has been able to rise to the level of power that he presently has. That is a very sad joke. 

 

They're likely millions upon millions of people who would like nothing more than to see this absolute creep locked up for many many years, but the sad truth is that we all know that he's above the law. The top army officers answer to nobody here, and this goon is above any and all laws. 

 

However the one good thing that comes out of this is that this incident really illustrates exactly who this man is, and exactly what this man is. Which is a corrupt, heinous, toxic, useless and overly entitled general who has been bossing around kids his whole life, and is completely intolerant of questions, criticism or anything but absolute fealty and obedience. 

[ignore it]

Hey

 

It's just good old traditional Thai style misogyny and chauvinism.

 

What are women for anyway?

[Tropicalevo]

Unfortunately, I suspect that we will never hear the reporter's truthful view on this.

She will know that any perceived criticism will invoke a swift, heavy and possibly life-changing response from the military.

[KhunBENQ]

32 minutes ago, nakhonandy said:

She should certainly pursue this legally.

And it will lead to nowhere.

Every cop or prosecutor will bury the file in the cabinet and forget about it until statute of limitations is reached. Handling this file is worse than playing with glowing iron.

Best case: out of court settling, he pays some pocket money, no public excuse.

[nakhonandy]

2 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

And it will lead to nowhere.

Every cop or prosecutor will bury the file in the cabinet and forget about it until statute of limitations is reached. Handling this file is worse than playing with glowing iron.

Best case: out of court settling, he pays some pocket money, no public excuse.

You're probably right. These people are untouchable.

[MikeandDow]

10 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Unfortunately, I suspect that we will never hear the reporter's truthful view on this.

She will know that any perceived criticism will invoke a swift, heavy and possibly life-changing response from the military.

You can get away with murder in this country so this is very minor nothing will happen

[retarius]

55 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The real joke here is Prawit himself, and the joke on the nation is the fact that this man, this goon, this incompetent has been able to rise to the level of power that he presently has. That is a very sad joke. 

 

They're likely millions upon millions of people who would like nothing more than to see this absolute creep locked up for many many years, but the sad truth is that we all know that he's above the law. The top army officers answer to nobody here, and this goon is above any and all laws. 

 

However the one good thing that comes out of this is that this incident really illustrates exactly who this man is, and exactly what this man is. Which is a corrupt, heinous, toxic, useless and overly entitled general who has been bossing around kids his whole life, and is completely intolerant of questions, criticism or anything but absolute fealty and obedience. 

Something tells me you don't like the guy much.

[Artisi]

23 minutes ago, retarius said:

Something tells me you don't like the guy much.

Is there anything to like about him?

[PETERTHEEATER]

Hello Mr David......Swiss man.....are you following this?

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, retarius said:

Something tells me you don't like the guy much.

Despise, detest, severely disrespect. Those feelings come to mind. 

[ikke1959]

Senile old man with a grumpy temper tries to solve his face

[still kicking]

6 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Hello Mr David......Swiss man.....are you following this?

No, he has to go to court because he's a farang.

[NowNow]

8 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The real joke here is Prawit himself, and the joke on the nation is the fact that this man, this goon, this incompetent has been able to rise to the level of power that he presently has. That is a very sad joke. 

 

They're likely millions upon millions of people who would like nothing more than to see this absolute creep locked up for many many years, but the sad truth is that we all know that he's above the law. The top army officers answer to nobody here, and this goon is above any and all laws. 

 

However the one good thing that comes out of this is that this incident really illustrates exactly who this man is, and exactly what this man is. Which is a corrupt, heinous, toxic, useless and overly entitled general who has been bossing around kids his whole life, and is completely intolerant of questions, criticism or anything but absolute fealty and obedience. 

 

I think Thaksin holds him in similar esteem. You won't find them together in the same room.

Mr T paid forward...

[Andycoops]

It's time the old fat dinosaur was put out to pasture preferably behind bars.

[Suua]

Coffin dodger.....someone should move him closer to it.

[stoner]

just a vile a**H_le.

[watchcat]

19 hours ago, retarius said:

Something tells me you don't like the guy much.

 

Who does like him?

[advancebooking]

On 8/19/2024 at 1:39 PM, spidermike007 said:

The real joke here is Prawit himself, and the joke on the nation is the fact that this man, this goon, this incompetent has been able to rise to the level of power that he presently has. That is a very sad joke. 

 

They're likely millions upon millions of people who would like nothing more than to see this absolute creep locked up for many many years, but the sad truth is that we all know that he's above the law. The top army officers answer to nobody here, and this goon is above any and all laws. 

 

However the one good thing that comes out of this is that this incident really illustrates exactly who this man is, and exactly what this man is. Which is a corrupt, heinous, toxic, useless and overly entitled general who has been bossing around kids his whole life, and is completely intolerant of questions, criticism or anything but absolute fealty and obedience. 

why dont you tell us what you really think of him. haha. Well said by the way.