Five Italian teenagers on an educational trip to Thailand were fined by police after a viral video showed them mocking a Thai woman who asked them to quieten down on a BTS skytrain. The incident led to the Italian Embassy in Bangkok issuing a formal apology to the Thai public.
Embassy apologises
In a statement shared over the weekend following the incident on July 23, the embassy expressed deep regret and strongly condemned the behaviour. It extended sincere apologies to the people of Thailand and emphasised that the actions did not reflect Italian values.
The embassy noted that Italians deeply understand and appreciate Thai values of respect, courtesy and harmonious coexistence, which are equally cherished by Italy. It insisted that the behaviour should not impact the mutual respect, friendship and courtesy forming the basis of Italy's relationship with Thailand.
Fines imposed
The trip's operator also apologised, acknowledging that the group's actions contradicted the organisation's values. Police at Samre station took over an hour to reach an amicable settlement. Four students were charged with public insult and fined 1,000 baht (£22.34) each. A fifth student, who made an obscene hand gesture, was charged with public insult and committing an act considered offensive in public, and fined 2,000 baht (£44.67).
The altercation
In the original video, a woman known as Sugus asks the youths to lower their voices to a normal volume. A student sarcastically apologises for bringing money to the country. Sugus then tells them they have no manners and tells them to 'shut the f**k up'. She asks where they are from; a boy replies 'Thailand', to which she says, 'No, you're not.' The group laughs and makes fun of her, and eventually films Sugus herself. Another passenger steps in and says she will call the police for Sugus, which shocks the group.
Apologies accepted
After the settlement, Sugus accepted the students' apologies. One student representative said, 'I'm personally extremely sorry for what has happened. I perfectly know that money can't buy respect, and I'm really sorry for all the people offended and for having offended Thai culture.' Another student said their behaviour was wrong and that they are very sorry to all Thai people. The students are set to undergo further lessons on cultural respect.
Sugus said she filed the complaint to protect her rights and to ensure no one violates them. 'I know the other side sincerely regrets what happened and accepts responsibility. They deserve a break,' she added.
