PM tells media to question cardboard dummy

PM tells media to question cardboard dummy

The press were taken aback when Gen Prayut walked off (inset) after tellint them to question the dummy. (Bangkok Post photos)
The press were taken aback when Gen Prayut walked off (inset) after tellint them to question the dummy. (Bangkok Post photos)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha evaded journalists' questions on Monday in a unique way, bringing out a life-sized cardboard cutout of himself and telling the reporters to quiz it instead of him.

Gen Prayut then turned on his heel and walked off, leaving the mock-up behind, to bemused looks and awkward laughter from the Government House press gaggle.

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 Gen Prayut has left the media dumbfounded.

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 what he called gruff humour, to execute any journalist who criticised his government.

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