Bugged by reporters, Thai PM wards off tough questions with hand sanitiser

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha shocked reporters on Tuesday when he interrupted his own news conference to spray them with hand sanitiser in a bid to duck their tough questions, Reuters reports.

Prayuth became frustrated when asked about a list of potential candidates for vacant cabinet posts, following last week’s jailing of three of his ministers for insurrection during protests seven years ago.

“Is there anything else to ask?” he demanded. “I don’t know, I haven’t seen the list. Isn’t it something the prime minister should know first?”

In the live briefing, Prayuth then left the podium, grabbed a small bottle of sanitiser, strolled over to the journalists and doused each of them while holding a surgical mask in front of his face.

Former military coup leader Prayuth is known for his casual, at times comical, remarks to the media but he also often lashes out at reporters.

He was later filmed speaking with the same group of journalists and looking increasingly annoyed, muttering while spraying them with broad sweeps of his hand before stalking off again.