Bangkok: Senator Alongkot Worakit caused a stir when he chose to respond in French to reporters' questions following his meeting with the Election Commission (EC). This unusual choice of language left many questions unanswered, as the senator refrained from speaking Thai, his native language, during the interaction.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Alongkot was approached by reporters after he acknowledged charges and offered explanations to the EC. When asked about the proceedings, he chose not to respond in Thai, instead using French to say 'I can't say' and 'It's not a secret, it's a personal matter.' His refusal to engage in Thai or English continued throughout the exchange, with Mr. Alongkot repeatedly stating in French, 'I can't speak' and 'I don't want to speak.'
The situation became more perplexing when questions arose about additional charges filed by the EC against other politicians, including members of the Bhumjaithai Party. Mr. Alongkot maintained his stance, replying only in French, 'I don't want to talk,' and 'I am Thai.' When reporters expressed a desire to hear him speak Thai, given his position as a Thai senator, Mr. Alongkot insisted, 'I will only speak French.'
Adding another layer of complexity, Mr. Alongkot inadvertently mentioned in Thai that he was learning Chinese. This led to a brief exchange in Chinese where he reiterated, 'I am Thai.' Despite this, the majority of the conversation remained in French, with Mr. Alongkot concluding his responses with 'It's done' and expressing uncertainty about future interrogations.
The initial interaction was further complicated by Mr. Alongkot's assistant, who had informed reporters of the senator's impending arrival and readiness to answer questions. However, following a delay of over an hour, Mr. Alongkot's appearance did not align with the assistant's promise, leaving reporters to engage with him as he exited the EC office.
This encounter has raised questions about Mr. Alongkot's communication strategy and his reasons for choosing to speak in French, rather than Thai, during such a critical interaction with the media.