A video has gone viral on social media depicting a group of young Italian students (some of them Sicilian) on board the subway in Bangkok, Thailand, shouting, annoying the other passengers in the carriage. When a woman pointed out that her voice was too loud, the boys responded in a provocative way, with verbal insults, offensive language and obscene gestures. The clash continued even after the boys got off the train, with blows on the windows and offensive gestures.
An apology from the embassy
The video and the story, later reported by local newspapers, provoked indignation among citizens, who in their thousands flooded the profiles of the Italian embassy in Bangkok with negative comments, demanding the opening of an investigation into what happened. The embassy’s response was not long in coming: an official statement of apology was published on Facebook.
«The Italian Embassy in Bangkok – we read – expresses its deep regret for the event reported in a video released on social media and firmly condemns the inappropriate behavior of a group of Italian tourists». The Embassy offers “its sincere apologies to the Thai people and all those involved in this incident.”
«The inappropriate behavior of the group of underage tourists does not in any way represent the Italian people – continues the note – nor does it reflect the values of mutual respect, friendship and courtesy which have long constituted the foundation of the lasting relations between the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Thailand».
The apology video and the operator’s note
The post was followed, after further negative comments, by a video showing four Italians who define themselves as the “leaders of the group” apologizing to the Thai people for the students’ attitude, deemed disrespectful. The tour operator also specializes in educational trips, according to the site Thai Rathlater issued a public apology, stating that the behavior of some participants did not reflect its values and expressing respect for Thailand and the Thai people.