In the ever constant struggle to keep a press pack happy, politicians will try a whole host of tactics from charm and charisma to cajoling and cowing. Thailand's military leader has opted for something a little more unorthodox - patting a reporter's head and scratching behind his ear. A video of the bizarre encounter in which Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is seen petting a kneeling reporter during a chat with journalists earlier this week has gone viral in the kingdom. But military authorities said the move was nothing more than a friendly gesture. Junta spokesman Colonel Werachon Sukondhapatipak said: "It's a very friendly gesture, a way of showing personal affection." One version of the video posted on Facebook has racked up more than 17,000 views while another YouTube clip has garnered more than 46,000 hits. During the clip Thailand's premier is seen addressing reporters during a visit to the northeastern province of Khon Kaen. As he spoke he patted a male journalist on the head and then scratched the back of his ear. The reporter was kneeling on the floor to give other camera crews a clear shot. "It's like patting a pet dog in an affectionate way. That was cute for the leader to show mercy to innocent pets," joked one commentator on YouTube. In Thai culture, the head is a sacred space and touching a stranger there would be considered rude. "If people are not familiar with each other, they will not touch someone's head. But if they are, it is a show of affection - something parents or adults might do to give a blessing," said Jitra Dudsdeemaytha, a lecturer in psychology at Bangkok's Srinakharinwirot University. Earlier this month Prayuth threatened to tighten controls on the press unless it stopped "presenting news" about former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, after photos of him cuddling a panda went viral.
