Thai journalists are not familiar with the formal concept, which is the only way Western journalists are treated.

Thai journalists are inclined to ask questions in an informal way. They usually keep their own questions to themselves when their sources are up on stage and, after they step down, try to snatch them away from other reporters. And this is the time when they shoot questions.

That explains why banking reporters were uncomfortable when Bank of Ayudhya (BAY) and GE executives said at their press conference last week that they would only answer questions raised while they were on the stage. And they meant it. They left the room immediately after answering questions from the floor.

Reporters were not slow in communicating their unease.

It is surprising that BAY took this issue seriously enough to come up with a special card that features a cartoon character with the face of Charlotte Dhonavanik, the executive in charge of public relations. The character presents a wai in a way that shows that BAY feels that it has to apologise for the uncomfortable atmosphere.

The card reads: "Sorry for the inconvenience at the January 16 press conference. From now on, BAY will return to be the same old bank that we're familiar with."

It is equally surprising that it is not the Thai reporters who have to adapt themselves to a new formal style.

This demonstrates the strength of the Thai "easygoing" attitude. Indeed, it is applied to everything, including the early stages of the police investigation into the Bangkok bomb blasts.

achara_d@nationgroup.com