By Jennifer Amarachi
Thailand’s parliament has announced an investigation into a prominent lawmaker and former army leader who was seen on camera punching a reporter while attempting to question him.
Prawit Wongsuwan retaliated against a journalist from public broadcaster ThaiPBS on Friday after she inquired about the selection of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the kingdom’s new prime minister.
In a video, the 79-year-old can be seen striking Duangthip Yiamphop multiple times around the head as he exits a building, shouting “What are you asking?” What? What?”
Prawit, Thailand’s army chief in the early 2000s, was one of the architects of the 2014 coup that deposed Paetongtarn’s aunt, then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
He went on to become deputy prime minister of the military-backed government, which lasted until last year.
The Thai parliament said in a statement that it would investigate the slapping after ThaiPBS made a formal complaint.
Prawit could potentially face suspension as an MP or even a lifetime ban if he is found guilty of a serious ethical violation.
The Thai Journalists’ Association condemned Prawit for using “violence against a journalist”.
“The Thai Journalists Association considers his actions to be threatening and harassing toward the rights and freedom of the press,” it said in a statement.
Noppadol Srihatai, the executive editor of ThaiPBS, told reporters that Prawit’s actions “threaten journalism”.
“He was seen hurting a reporter and we cannot accept it. As a public
organisation, we must protect journalists’ rights so that media work won’t be affected in the future,” Noppadol said.
Prawit has apologized to the reporter, stating that he “did not have any bad intentions”.
Over the last two decades of turmoil, the retired general has been one of Thailand’s most prominent dealmakers, serving as a crucial figure in the kingdom’s conservative, pro-military, pro-royalist establishment.
He faced a graft investigation in 2018 after online sleuths discovered previous images of him wearing at least 22 different clocks, including 11 Rolexes.
However, the National Anti-Corruption Commission dropped the lawsuit.
