“Uncle Pol”, an unemployed rubber tapper who rose to internet stardom after being accused over his infant niece’s death, was in the headlines on Tuesday for assaulting a reporter during a live interview.


Chaipol Vipra, better known as Loong Pol or “Uncle Pol”, lashed out when asked about the case, snatching the microphone out of the hands of a journalist and slapping him.


It was the first time Pol has lost his temper in public since launching his social media career after his sister-in-law went public with accusations that he was involved in the murder of her three-year-old daughter in May.


The incident went viral with the hashtag #ลุงพล (Loong Pol) being retweeted more than 260,000 times on Tuesday. “This guy shouldn’t have been famous in the first place,” a user commented. “He has always been a criminal.”


Pol hit reporter Napas “Fah” Pranitpol of Amarin TV twice before shoving him in the shoulder. “Don’t hurt me please, I am just doing my job.” the reporter was heard pleading. Pol went on to hit the journalist in the back, and attempted to strangle the journalist and pull his mask off, before being pulled away by observers.


“Which channel is this, give me your mic, I want to hold it.” Uncle Pol said, while attacking the reporter. “It’s okay (mai pen rai), give me your mic, this channel.”


Pol started making headlines across Thailand in May, after the body of Orawan “Chompoo” Wongsricha was found naked in the woods 5 kilometres from her home in the Ban Kok Kok community in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Mukdahan.


The girl’s mother, Pol’s sister-in-law, accused Pol of being behind the killing. No charges have been formally brought and the case remains unsolved.


Three autopsies yielded no cause of death, preventing the police investigation from moving forwards, according to some local media. Other reports said the body was found with multiple knife injuries.


Since then, Pol has launched a YouTube channel, appeared in entertainment events, become the presenter and face of many local products and services, and turned his home into a tourist attraction.


His success has been met with some criticism from media and the public, with commentators questioning his use of the girl’s death to boost his online presence. He was also facing allegations of embezzlement and tax evasion, Amarin TV reported.


Uncle Pol has never shown violence or signs of anger in front of reporters or on screen prior to Tuesday’s events, Napas commented. The reporter said that he is still shocked over what has happened, and is now considering filing a case against him.


Alleged murderer turned online celebrity lashes out during interview - Thai Enquirer