The Thai Broadcast Journalists Association and the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand are seeking an investigation into the ethical conduct of Palang Pracharath party leader General Prawit Wongsuwan over an incident on Friday in which he is accused of harassing a reporter.
The two broadcast media organisations said that General Prawit’s action against the Thai PBS reporter may constitute violations of two of the codes of conduct for MPs.
Item 12 states that an MP must respect the rights and liberties of other individuals by refraining from expressing impolite conduct or language. Item 13, meanwhile, states that an MP must refrain from intimidating or threatening to use force against the other people.
As seen in a video clip, the reporter in question asked General Prawit whether he had watched the live broadcast in the parliament of the voting on Pheu Thai party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s prime ministerial nomination.
General Prawit appeared annoyed by the question and was seen extending his hand to grab the reporter’s head, while repeatedly asking her “What’s your question?”
The aging general later talked to the reporter by phone and explained that he was merely joking and had no intention whatsoever to harass her.
The two media organisations maintain, however, that General Prawit appeared to be angry and to be attempting to intimidate the reporter.
Earlier, the Thai Journalists Association and Thai PBS issued separate statements demanding that the general to take responsibility for his alleged attempt at intimidation.
