Thai junta will coach journalists to ask questions that will 'not offend' Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday he was not afraid of the press, days before the government is to hold a meeting to teach journalists how to ask questions that won't offend him.

Gaffe-prone Prayuth has had a love-hate relationship with the media during the year since he seized power, at one point saying he would probably "just execute" journalists that "did not report the truth".

His office later said the comment was made in jest.

Affectionately called "Uncle Prayuth" by his admirers, he has overseen a period of relative stability but has been criticised by rights groups for using heavy-handed handed tactics against detractors. Prayuth said he has never tried to censor the media.

"I'm not afraid of the press but I ask for fairness because I have never told the press not to speak or write anything. I am friendly with the media," Prayuth said.

"I do not have control over the media, nor do they have power over me."