Well Done Chuwit, I’d Punched Him As Well

Gubernatorial candidate Chuwit Kamolvisit punched a TV anchorman straight in the face and stomped on him for asking questions that were agreed on beforehand to be left off the record. Reports The Nation: “Nearly at the end of the live interview, (Channel 3’s anchorman) Visarn (Dilokwanich) asked Chuwit about the details of his plan to compete against Apirak Kosayodhin.”

“Apirak is seen as the strongest candidate in the Bangkok governor election. While asking the question, Visarn told his audience that Chuwit already gave him the details of his tactic behind the scene. At that moment, Chuwit looked at Visarn furiously and asked him why he talked about the interview behind the scene, which was supposed to be off the record.”

“Visarn shot back with a question whether Chuwit behind the scene is the same with Chuwit on TV. Chuwit argued that what he said behind the scene should be left behind the scene and Visarn should ask him about his campaign plan instead. But Visarn kept on demanding Chuwit to say whether he is the same person behind the scene and in front of TV.” And then the éclat:

“When Chuwit replied Yes, Visarn ended his program immediately. The attack happened right after the end of the program.”

Remember our Chuwit interview. He’s his very own special character, missing his old days with girls all around. And he’s a big guy. Actually looking like a goon. You don’t wanna mess with him. And Visarn called him “unmanly” … him.

But that’s exactly what gives journalists that rotten reputation: Arrogance, untrustworthiness and that meanwhile infamous gotcha-journalism. Doesn’t matter if you get a headline at the expense of trust and credibility.

Uncovering major lies and abuses and crimes is a completely different chapter. Interviewer Visarn though intentionally lured the interviewee into a false sense of confidence - only to stab the astonished guy in the back.

I’d fire Visarn immediately - if above account turns out to be accurate. Not that Chuwit reacted properly. A slightly more diplomatic approach would have been in order.

At the very least he taught that no-good of a journo a lesson. No serious media can work without that basic trust that off the record is off the record.

Nobody would talk to the media anymore.

Chuwit later on apologized. He had to pay a fine of 500 baht. He’d pay 2,000 baht, he said, no problem:

“I will pay the fine. It will be 500 baht for using an elbow and another 500 baht t for stomping on him. I will pay a tip and to make it 2,000 baht in total.”

“However,” he added, “I actually felt good after doing it.”

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Comments

6 Responses to “Well Done Chuwit, I’d Punched Him As Well”

Historian on October 2nd, 2008 10.25 pm

It is obvious Visarn went off the track, fictionalized himself as Surayuth or Suthichai whilst lack any real know-how. Chuwit should have sent an upper-cut during on-air.
Andrew on October 3rd, 2008 7.26 am

Radio Thailand reports the interviewer deviated from the pre-agreed line of questioning, which is why Chuwit got angry.

I’m not condoning what happened, but it just shows that some interviews (both television and print) take place within set parameters. Something like “I’ll talk to you but don’t ask me about …” I’ve come across that a few times myself.
cosmos on October 3rd, 2008 7.45 am

Thai celebrities need to learn from their Western counterparts to fight while on air and provide us with the more entertainment!

See:

Historian, I would have liked to see a good head-butt into his face.
BangkokDan on October 3rd, 2008 8.16 am

Aren’t pre-agreed questions the common rule of engagement? In this context it’s more the interviewer’s intent to get something out of Chuwit that was explicitly to remain “off the record” - here’s the second part of the interview. The end? The interviewer insists, Chuwit tries to smile … (here’s the Post’s transcript):

BangkokDan
Andrew on October 3rd, 2008 1.11 pm

Some interviewees will only give interviews if questions or topics are pre-agreed, however some media outlets will only interview someone if nothing is off limits.
Peter Hall on October 8th, 2008 11.29 pm

Feathers Ruffled. An interesting show of overinflated ego getting punctured: There is something unique about the Thai ego when it gets in “override” mode and then hits a brick wall. I noticed such unsubtle discomfort on Visarn’s countenance when he first came back to his perch in front of the CH 3 cameras … funny and telling … they could certainly use a dose of Junghian de-inflation therapists around here.