ThaiPBS and the Thai Journalists Association have demanded that Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Phalang Pracharat Party leader and MP, take responsibility for assaulting a ThaiPBS reporter who asked him about the vote for a new Prime Minister.

A screencapture from a video clip posted by The Standard showing Gen Prawit slapping at the head of a ThaiPBS reporter after she asked him about the parliamentary vote for Prime Minister, during which Paetongtarn Shinawatra, youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected Thailand's 31st Prime Minister.

Several local news outlets posted a video clip yesterday (16 August) of Gen Prawit slapping the ThaiPBS reporter on the head after she asked him if he had been following this morning’s parliamentary vote for a new Prime Minister, and to which he replied “What are you asking?”

The reporter was among a group of reporters at the office of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, where Gen Prawit was hosting a reception for Thai athletes returning from the Paris Olympics. When other reporters asked the same question after Gen Prawit got in his car, he shouted at them “What the hell are you asking?”

The Thai Journalists Association issued a statement saying that it considers Gen Prawit’s action to be harassment and a threat against press freedom and demanded that he take responsibility. It also warns that people should be careful about lashing out at others and causing harm, stressing that it is important to respect working professionals, regardless of what they do.

ThaiPBS also issued a statement saying that it considers Gen Prawit’s action harassment against its on-duty reporter. It noted that the reporter was politely asking Gen Prawit about a matter that involves him, and since she was acting within professional standards, it is unacceptable for her to be assaulted. The assault could also cause other reporters and photographers at the scene to feel unsafe.

ThaiPBS demanded that Gen Prawit take responsibility for his action. It also called on the National Press Council, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, and the Thai Journalists Association to find appropriate measures to protect journalists.

Meanwhile, People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he condemns the assault. Not only should no one be assaulted, but this action is also a violation of press freedom, since it can cause reporters to be concerned for their safety if they interview a politician who does not like a question they ask.

People’s Party MP Pukkamon Nunarnan also said that she plans to discuss the assault in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Political Development, Mass Communications, and Public Participation on 22 August, when issues relating to the press are already on the agenda. She stressed that whether it was intentional or not, such actions should not be seen as normal.

ThaiPBS later reported that Gen Prawit spoke to Duangthip on the phone and told her that he did not intend to hit her and that he has a habit of teasing reporters he is acquainted with.

Today (17 August), ThaiPBS reported that the News Broadcasting Council and the Thai Broadcasting Journalist Association have issued statement saying that video clips of the assault show Gen Prawit acting in anger. His action is therefore a threat and not done out of familiarity as claimed by his assistants. The two organizations will therefore be filing a complaint against Gen Prawit on the grounds that he may have violated the Members of Parliament code of ethics, which required MPs to respect the rights and freedom of others and not threaten or assault another person.