Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha sprays alcohol mist on a front row of reporters sitting inside the press conference room at Government house in Bangkok. (Photo | AP) 
World

Thailand PM Prayut Chan-ocha sprays disinfectant on reporters to end presser

After fielding a slew of questions from journalists at his weekly news conference in Bangkok, the famously mercurial Prayuth Chan-ocha sprayed back, with disinfectant.

Associated Press

BANGKOK: Politicians are often accused of sanitising the news. On Tuesday, Thailand's prime minister sanitised members of the press.

After fielding a slew of questions from journalists at his weekly news conference in Bangkok, the famously mercurial Prayuth Chan-ocha sprayed back, with disinfectant.

Riled by a final question about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, he told reporters to mind their own business, then grabbed a container of alcohol mist and doused the front row before sauntering off.

The quick-tempered former army commander, who overthrew the elected government in a 2014 coup, is known for his unpredictable behaviour.

In the past, he's spoken to a media scrum while fondling the ear of one of the reporters and flung a banana peel at camera operators.

After an event in 2018 he declined to speak to the media, and instead set up a life-size cutout of himself.

"Ask this guy," he said and walked away.

INTERVIEW | India has 'no problem' buying $500bn of US goods in next five years: Goyal on trade deal

PM Modi stresses strategic trust, no double standards or compromise on terrorism

‘Put under some kind of training’: Himanta sharpens attack on Gogoi over Pakistan visit, wife’s role

'Denial is a direct message': Fairness is the prerequisite for a united India

Bhagwat says 'ready to step down' if Sangh asks, asserts RSS chief must be Hindu

SCROLL FOR NEXT