General Prawit Wongsuwon, the leader of Thailand’s Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), is under fire after being captured on video slapping a reporter during a heated interaction last Friday. The incident has prompted calls for an ethics inquiry, led by the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand (NBCT) and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association.

 

The video, revealed by NBCT president Supan Rakchuea, shows a visibly agitated General Prawit resorting to physical aggression when questioned about the recent House election of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the new prime minister. The confrontation has sparked widespread concern over the treatment of journalists and the ethical standards expected of Thai politicians.

 

“This is not the first time for this kind of behaviour by this politician,” stated Supan. “We are talking about ethics and the mass media doing its duty, which must be protected.”

 

The complaint lodged against Prawit highlights clauses 12 and 13 of the MPs’ code of conduct, emphasising respect and a prohibition on threatening or insulting behaviour. If found guilty, consequences could range from a formal warning to an apology before the House.

 

Supan stressed the necessity for politicians to uphold a basic standard of conduct, suggesting that a simple “no comment” is a more respectful alternative to aggression.

 

Compounding Prawit's troubles, the Palang Pracharath Party faces internal challenges. Party Secretary-General Thamanat Prompow has announced the creation of an independent faction with 29 MPs, signalling widespread dissatisfaction. The rebellion is linked to speculation that Thamanat, a figure with a controversial past, might be excluded from a Cabinet role in the new government.

 

As Thailand’s political landscape navigates these turbulent waters, the incident underscores pressing questions about accountability, the role of the media, and the conduct expected from its leaders.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-08-21

 

 

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Does anybody think anything will happen against him?

I predict she will apologize for her bad behavior and admit she wanted to provoke him and obviously she deserved what she got.

And he will graciously forgive her - but don't do it again

TiT

 

 

Good to see he has made international news this morning....

Watch: Thai MP under investigation for hitting reporter (bbc.com)

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The incident has prompted calls for an ethics inquiry

Normally such an ASSUALT would be a criminal investigation for battery by police. But when it comes to the elite, criminal laws don't apply.

Imagine if the government called for an "ethics inquiry" into recent attacks on Thais by Kuwaiti tourists. How acceptable would that be?

10 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Does anybody think anything will happen against him?

I predict she will apologize for her bad behavior and admit she wanted to provoke him and obviously she deserved what she got.

And he will graciously forgive her - but don't do it again

TiT

 

 

Of course nothing will happen to him and your predicted outcome is probably not far wrong, But   an enquiry  is always a welcome bonus, and all part of the trappings of power          It won't achieve anything but at least  couple of  minibus loads of the white uniformed elite can enjoy a week or two of short,  easy,  days sat round a table laughing and joking for  a few hours  before heading off for a good lunch,  and then off to a gentlemans club for a soapy. 

All whilst claiming various attendance allowances and paid for on expenses,   Its a tough job but someone has to do it

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The complaint lodged against Prawit highlights clauses 12 and 13 of the MPs’ code of conduct, emphasising respect and a prohibition on threatening or insulting behaviour. If found guilty, consequences could range from a formal warning to an apology before the House.

Never going to happen.

Whatever happened about all the expensive watches he had TID

Just say it was his twin brother, who later died. He can't remember his name. 

 

Worked with the watches.  

The only way is Ethics. But it's simple. It's a criminal assault. Nothing to do with ethics. This man was heavily involved in overthrowing a democratically elected government. Why is he still at liberty? Compared to tabling an amendment to a law, the coup Meisters' crimes are orders of magnitude greater. They should all be behind bars, and I don't mean serving drinks, although that would be nice, too. Try living off tips, Mr Roly Poly.

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

Whatever happened about all the expensive watches he had TID

The NACC refuses to release their report unredacted, which names names and has witnesses testimony. It's been raised so many times, and they just shuffle the paper around and stare at their shoes. There's no will amongst the judiciary or the legislators to upset the apple cart nor rock the boat for fear presumably that they too could face their public one day.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

If found guilty, consequences could range from a formal warning to an apology before the House.

 

Sounds terrible, why not add a slap on the wrist while they are at it?

Just another example of childish, fragile, egos, and an attitude of "how dare you question me"

2 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Of course nothing will happen to him and your predicted outcome is probably not far wrong, But   an enquiry  is always a welcome bonus, and all part of the trappings of power          It won't achieve anything but at least  couple of  minibus loads of the white uniformed elite can enjoy a week or two of short,  easy,  days sat round a table laughing and joking for  a few hours  before heading off for a good lunch,  and then off to a gentlemans club for a soapy. 

All whilst claiming various attendance allowances and paid for on expenses,   Its a tough job but someone has to do it

Yes . they like nothing better than a good "probe", allegedly.

14 minutes ago, mancub said:

Yes . they like nothing better than a good "probe", allegedly.

Then Thailand must be very popular with space aliens. + a lot of 'probing' done at some of the temples. Gosh, I do love living at the circus,  full time.

What is needed is for that female reporter to lodge a complaint with the police and make sure that the whole thing is properly recorded by other reporters and if this brain dead nitwit is not charged with assault and taken before the courts and him sentenced then it would be reported around the world and it would show the corruption of ALL high officialdom of Thailand and maybe all the countries should cease to deal with Thailand

Not a thing will happen to Prawit.  In Thailand two-tiered system of justice, he is "Teflon" and untouchable.  It anything happens it will be an apology and a wai at the most.

Now if you, I, or any common Thai did what he did?  Jail-time and fines!

Didn't Prawit learn anything from Prayut.  Here's the way to handle reporters.  "Talk to the hand!"

 

Ethics probes run off his smoothly-oiled back quite easily.

Force him to address her live on TV by name and kindly ask her to apologize for his unforgivable mistake as an elder, as a man, as a retired army general and as a politician.
Once done, enforce his retirement of all posts, meetings, clubs, organizations etc. and send him off to retirement. 

Will not happen of course but only like that you can get such manure straightened out! 

What happened to the article of Prawit that say it was all a joke?

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

General Prawit Wongsuwon, the leader of Thailand’s Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), is under fire

 

Decrepit old fool - he needs to go to the Knackers Yard!

Probing his ethics is an exercise in futility. It should have been clear for a long time that The Watchman has got none.

5 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Sounds terrible, why not add a slap on the wrist while they are at it?

Put wheels on his Zimmer frame for a week.

His star is on the wane.

Khun Thaksin is waiting to stick the knife in