Prawit, Thailand’s military commander in the early 2000s, was one of the engineers of the 2014 revolution that ousted Paetongtarn’s uncle, then-PM Yingluck Shinawatra.
He then served as deputy prime minister under the military-backed administration that presided over the country until last year.
After ThaiPBS filed a formal problem, the Thai congress announced in a statement that it would check the slapping.
If Prawit is found innocent of a major ethical violation, he could be subject to expulsion as an MP or even a career restrictions.
Prawit’s use of “violence against a columnist” was condemned by the Thai Journalists ‘ Association.
The Thai Journalists Association said in a statement that his actions violate the press’s liberty and are harassing.
Noppadol Srihatai, the senior editor of ThaiPBS, told investigators that Prawit’s behavior” harm journalism”.
We cannot tolerate the fact that he was seen abusing a writer. As a public organisation, we must protect journalists ‘ rights so that media work wo n’t be affected in the future”, Noppadol said.
Prawit has apologised to the writer, saying he “did not have any negative goal”.