Human Rights Watch raps PM's cardboard dummy 'joke'

Video grabs from Monday's event show Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha examining a cardboard cut-out, then walking away from a bemused media gaggle.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, known for his temperamental outbursts, has adopted a unique tactic to avoid tricky questions from reporters -- leave a cardboard cutout of himself for reporters to quiz.

But the gesture has been criticised by Human Rights Watch, which said it shows the military junta chief's "contempt of media criticism".

Seventeen life-sized cutouts of Gen Prayut have been set up around Government House ahead of Children's Day on Saturday. They show the prime minister in various outfits including sportswear, work suits and traditional Thai attire.

On Monday, Gen Prayut spoke briefly at Government House before a cutout of himself in a suit and tie was brought out. The general, who is known for his abstruse sense of humour, then told journalists to refer any questions to the cardboard dummy representative.

"Ask this guy," he said.

(Video YouTube/IBTimes UK)

Reaction to the gesture was largely muted on social media on Tuesday but Human Rights Watch claimed it added to a "long list of his bizarre and bullying reactions to reporters".

"Thailand's junta leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha continues to show contempt of media criticism and scrutiny," said Sunai Phasuk, senior Thailand researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Gen Prayut is known for going off-script and for his public outbursts which are sometimes dismissed as mildly amusing even by his staunchest critics. According to HRW, his comments have also been menacing.

In 2015 he "warned" journalists that he had the power to execute them. In another, separate incident he threw a banana peel at a reporter.

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), headed by Gen Prayut, has yet to lift a ban on political campaigning by non-military groups despite pressure from groups of all political stripes.

"Even when the junta promises to hold an election, there is no open space for media freedom," said Mr Sunai.

Children's Day is celebrated annually in Thailand on the second Saturday of January. On the day, armed forces open up military barracks to children to let them pose with weapons and tanks. Children are also invited to sit at the prime minister's work desk inside Government House.