Thai prime minister plays friend with media by patting reporter on head and tugging his ear
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Thailand's military-installed prime minister, known for scolding journalists, is trying a new tack: patting their heads and tugging their ears.
Video posted on Facebook by Bangkok Post reporter Wassana Nanuam shows Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha chatting Wednesday with reporters in the northeastern city of Khon Kaen. Some journalists kneel in front of him — to allow cameras a clear view — with microphones thrust toward him.
Prayuth pats the baseball cap-clad head of the journalist directly in front of him, then nonchalantly tugs and twists the man's ear as he takes questions.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Deputy Government Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd says the gesture is good-natured teasing of the reporters with whom he has become familiar.
He says: "It's not weird for him to be playful with them."
___
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Online:
www.facebook.com/video.php?v=801423736567203