"Ask this guy."
Thailand's prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, has come up with an innovative new strategy for ducking questions from the press.
Using what will likely become the go-to tool for the Trump Administration, PM Prayuth had one of his aides produce a life-sized cardboard cut-out of himself for journalists to interact with.
"If you want to ask any questions on politics or conflict", he told reporters in Bangkok, "ask this guy."
Afterwards, he turned to leave the conference, prompting a few awkward laughs and general confusion.
Prayuth had been addressing the media on promoting Thailand's upcoming children's day, however, his cardboard self was brought in before any more pressing political matters could be raised.
Prayuth first came to power during the military coup d'etat in 2014, and in that time, he has been known to converse with the media in a unique fashion.
Previously, he threatened to "probably execute" those who misreport facts and infamously, he threw a banana peel at a cameraman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pheeABgIS2M
Clip via Amazing World
Unfortunately for anyone reporting in Thailand, it doesn't seem as if this will be the last time one of the cardboard cut-outs appears.
It would appear that the Prime Minister has a variety of these figures stowed away, including ones of him shaking hands, standing upright in an official manner, kicking a football and preparing to engage in some bare-knuckle boxing, just in case he has to open up a Thai-boxing club.
https://twitter.com/dna/status/950664985272713217
