A northern military man who was caught on video appearing to give the camera the finger says that he was “just waving” after a snapshot of his hand gesture circulated online yesterday.
It all happened yesterday at City Hall in northern Phayao province when members of People Go Network demanded the city drop charges against 14 of their supporters accused of violating a junta order banning public gatherings of more than four people.
Col. Thinnachart Sutthirak, who was the head of the intelligence corps at a northern military unit, obstructed the protesters, denying that the authorities prosecuted their members.
During the negotiation, Col. Thinnachart was seen making a lot hand gestures, pointing and waving. At one point, it appeared he put his middle finger in the air — which he later defended that it was just the “waving of his hand.”
The officer told Pachathai, “Please watch the clip. You would be able to see that I didn’t give them the finger. I insist I did not do it. If I did, it would be more obvious.”
Is this a wave? The internet has made a slow motion video for you to judge:
And a gif:
And a collage showcasing his hand movements before it ends with the “f*ck you” gesture:
His commander, Pol. Col. Mongkol Pakamma has apologized to the public and set a committee to investigate the middle finger scandal. The result is expected within three days.
“As his commander, I’d like to apologize to the public and the press, on behalf of my soldier who waved his hand in such manner,” he said.
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