Thai Politician Is Under Fire After Slapping a Journalist on Camera

A politician is surrounded by journalists while walking down a corridor when one of them asks him a question. Instead of answering it, he raises his hand and slaps her in the head several times before climbing into his vehicle and driving away.

Videos of this interaction in Bangkok last week, between Duangthip Yiamphop, a reporter for the Thai Public Broadcasting Service, and Prawit Wongsuwan, a retired general and former deputy prime minister, have led to anger in Thailand, where violence against women is prevalent and the military has repeatedly disavowed democratic norms.

Mr. Prawit’s behavior has prompted calls for the Thai Parliament to open an ethics inquiry into him. A parliamentary committee is set to discuss the case in a meeting on Thursday, Pukkamon Nunarnan, a member of Parliament, said in an interview.

The Thai Public Broadcasting Service said in a statement that it viewed Mr. Prawit’s action as an act of intimidation that affected journalists’ sense of safety.

“The journalist’s questions were presented with polite language and demeanor, addressing topics relevant to the interview,” the company said. “Being physically assaulted by the news source in this manner is unacceptable.”