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Published on November 9, 2007

The heated war of words between Samak and the media erupted after a group of reporters asked him whether Newin Chidchob and Sudarat Keyuraphan, two top members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, had helped him in compiling the PPP's party-list candidates.

Using Pali, the sacred language of Buddhism, to bite back at the question that struck his last good nerve, Samak asked if one of the Siam Rath reporters had had sinful sex the night before.

Other reporters joined the fray, pressing Samak harder on the issue in an apparent attempt to help out a fellow journalist who was caught off guard.

"I have no duty to answer this question. Who told you to ask me? I will not answer,'' Samak said.

The reporter persisted and asked him if by not answering meant he was not denying the fact.

Samak hit back: "Not answering does not mean not denying. Do not pose a question as if you were a court. Do not scratch to create damage to the party. I will charge and sue everyone who asks such questions. Who hired you to ask that?'' The reporter replied that the public hired him. Samak then snapped: "Bring me the list of the people."

He then tried to turn the tables, asking the reporter how he would feel if such a damaging question were posed against Siam Rath.

The reporter said its management would have to clarify the accusation.

"You are the management of the party," the reporter said. "You have to answer because the public wants to know.'' Samak said: "If I ask you … do not think that I am rude, whether you had sexual intercourse last night.''

In what appeared to be a strange way of showing support to the party boss, some PPP candidates at the press conference let out a big laugh as Samak hit back with his question.

Samak was asked why it was inappropriate for reporters to ask such a question as it was about the party.

He said: "Do not intrude into the party's issues. Do you want to disclose the party's issues to destroy it? If you do not want to destroy it, do not ask  this."

A Channel 7 reporter said the question was asked because Newin and Sudarat were among the 111 Thai Rak Thai executives who have been banned from politics. Samak said: "Thank you for explaining."

But the TV reporter insisted on asking if the report was true. Samak angrily hit back: "What is the damn use of telling you? If I do not answer, will you bring me to court? I will not answer.''

Then a reporter from The Nation pursued the same topic, saying many people had confirmed that Newin was involved in arranging the party-list MP candidates.

Samak asked the reporter which newspaper she represented. When he discovered she worked for The Nation, he asked her: "Has The Nation put its tower up for sale? You tell me first."

The reporter said the news about the sale of the building was true, but she could not answer any more questions, saying only The Nation management could answer.

"You are the management of the party - you have to answer on the party's behalf,'' the reporter persisted.

Samak refused. "I know you are doing your job but I answer only what I know. Do not be stubborn in asking me."

The Nation reporter said she had been reporting on Thai Rak Thai news since the party was born and had never wanted to harm the party.

"So what? If you have never thought of that, then do not ask. Others do not ask. They have manners,'' Samak said.

People Power MP candidates of Bangkok expressed concern about the war of words between their leader and the media. They fear that Samak's harsh personality will ruin their chance of winning in the capital.

Kesinee Jaikawang

 The Nation