We all know reporting can be a dangerous job, particularly when you’re talking about something like embedding in a combat zone, but you wouldn’t think that statement would apply to covering the lottery.
Channel 5 new reporter Thananya Pipitwinchagarn found out otherwise today when she was stabbed in the neck by a stranger — only lightly, thankfully — as she prepared to go live with coverage of Thailand’s twice-monthly lucky draw.
The incident occurred at Phatthalung City Hall in Phatthalung province at about 1:30pm today as numerous television channels were preparing to broadcast the draw, according to Thairath.
Thananya was reading from her notes into a camera when 35-year-old Prapapan Yokshwee moved close, then suddenly pressed a roughly 5-inch screwdriver into her neck. A number of alarmed onlookers quickly rushed to pull her off the reporter.
Luckily, Thananya sustained only minor injuries.
After the incident, Prapapan was carried out by Muang Phatthalung Police, screaming at both police and the assembled media as she was, according to witnesses.
The screwdriver-wielding woman told police that she was angry because complaints she had made to police, local government officials, and the press — including her allegation that a criminal had planted drugs in her mother’s house — had all been ignored, reported Sanook.
Police who spoke to Coconuts Bangkok this afternoon said that as no serious injuries had been sustained, Thananya would not be pressing charges. While it remained unsaid, we suspect her assailant’s state of mind likely played a role in that decision.
