Talk to the cut-out, Thai leader says
PM evades reporters, tells them to direct questions to his cardboard likeness
BANGKOK— Thailand’s prime minister evaded journalists’ questions on Monday by bringing out a life-sized cardboard cut-out of himself and telling the reporters to quiz it instead of him.
Prayuth Chan-ocha then turned on his heel and walked off, leaving the mock-up behind, to bemused looks and awkward laughter from the Government House press pack. The prime minister had briefly spoken to the media after attending an event promoting upcoming Children’s Day, but deployed his dodging tactic before anyone could ask him about a number of pressing political issues.
“If you want to ask any questions on politics or conflict,” he said, “ask this guy.”
It isn’t 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 for several minutes during an impromptu news conference, flung a banana peel at cameramen and threatened, with gruff humour, to execute any journalist who criticized his government.
When it took power, Prayuth’s government, packed with military men, enjoyed public support for ending a period of often-violent street politics. But as the junta’s rule stretched on, criticism of its often repressive policies has grown.