This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/09/thai-pm-prayuth-chan-ocha-cardboard-cutout-avoid-journalists-questions
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Ask this guy': Thai PM uses cardboard cutout to avoid journalists' questions | 'Ask this guy': Thai PM uses cardboard cutout to avoid journalists' questions |
| (7 days later) | |
| Prayuth Chan-ocha appeared ready for a media conference before producing the unusual prop and walking off | |
| Associated Press | |
| Tue 9 Jan 2018 01.38 GMT | |
| Last modified on Tue 9 Jan 2018 15.07 GMT | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| View more sharing options | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Close | |
| Thailand’s prime minister has found a novel way to avoid journalists’ questions: producing a life-sized cardboard cutout of himself and telling the reporters to quiz it instead of him. | Thailand’s prime minister has found a novel way to avoid journalists’ questions: producing a life-sized cardboard cutout of himself and telling the reporters to quiz it instead of him. |
| At a press conference in Bangkok, Prayuth Chan-ocha appeared ready to take questions but then supervised an aide as the cutout was installed. | At a press conference in Bangkok, Prayuth Chan-ocha appeared ready to take questions but then supervised an aide as the cutout was installed. |
| “If you want to ask any questions on politics or conflict,” he then told reporters, “ask this guy.” | “If you want to ask any questions on politics or conflict,” he then told reporters, “ask this guy.” |
| He then turned on his heel and walked off, leaving the mock-up behind, to bemused looks and awkward laughter from the government house media pack. | He then turned on his heel and walked off, leaving the mock-up behind, to bemused looks and awkward laughter from the government house media pack. |
| The prime minister had earlier spoken to the media after attending an event promoting Thailand’s upcoming children’s day, but deployed his dodging tactic before anyone could ask him about a number of pressing political issues. | The prime minister had earlier spoken to the media after attending an event promoting Thailand’s upcoming children’s day, but deployed his dodging tactic before anyone could ask him about a number of pressing political issues. |
| It is not the first time Prayuth — a general who seized power in a bloodless coup in 2014 — has dumbfounded the media. In the past he has fondled the ear of a sound technician during an impromptu news conference, flung a banana peel at cameramen, and threatened, with gruff humour, to execute any journalist who criticised his government. | It is not the first time Prayuth — a general who seized power in a bloodless coup in 2014 — has dumbfounded the media. In the past he has fondled the ear of a sound technician during an impromptu news conference, flung a banana peel at cameramen, and threatened, with gruff humour, to execute any journalist who criticised his government. |
| When it took power, his junta enjoyed considerable public support for ending a prolonged period of often-violent street politics. But as his rule has stretched on, criticism of the government’s often-repressive policies and lack of transparency has grown. | When it took power, his junta enjoyed considerable public support for ending a prolonged period of often-violent street politics. But as his rule has stretched on, criticism of the government’s often-repressive policies and lack of transparency has grown. |
| Prayuth has promised elections in November, though he has made similar promises several times previously and then delayed the balloting. | Prayuth has promised elections in November, though he has made similar promises several times previously and then delayed the balloting. |
| Thailand | |
| Asia Pacific | |
| news | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Reuse this content |