Web desk(National Times)- A viral video of a Thai woman confronting a group of noisy Italian teenagers who exchange vulgar words and gestures on a Bangkok train prompted online backlash and an apology from Italy\u2019s embassy on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The TikTok video, posted on Friday, was shared more than 28,000 times with the caption: \u201cWhat nationality are they?? Is it time for Thailand to stop free visas yet?\u201d In the clip, a Thai woman off-camera is heard repeatedly telling the Italian group to be quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Thailand, we don\u2019t scream,\u201d she says, before a woman from the group replies: \u201cSorry for bringing money to your country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One boy was filmed waving and then gesturing to the camera with only his middle finger raised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute escalated as the Thai woman accused the Italians of having \u201cno manners\u201d \u2014 and then also used vulgar language and gestures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident has divided opinion online, with some internet users criticising the teenagers for impropriety and disrespecting local customs, while others said the Thai woman reacted too harshly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Italian Embassy in Bangkok said it condemned the \u201cinappropriate behaviour of a group of Italian underage tourists\u201d on a school trip and apologised \u201cto the people of Thailand and to everyone affected\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cItalians deeply understand and appreciate the values that Thai society places on respect for others, courtesy, and harmonious coexistence,\u201d the embassy said in a statement posted on Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The embassy also shared a video featuring three adults, who identified themselves as \u201cleaders\u201d of the Italian group, and the boy filmed raising his middle finger, with each apologising to Thai people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One woman said the teen would be \u201creturning to Italy as soon as possible\u201d on account of his behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The TikTok user who posted the video did not immediately respond to AFP\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thailand cut the length of visa-free stays for tourists in May as part of efforts to curb crimes committed by foreign nationals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The move followed a series of high-profile arrests of foreigners over drug offences, sex trafficking, public indecency and operating unlicensed businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thailand\u2019s economy relies heavily on tourism, but foreign arrivals have yet to return to pre-Covid-19 levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Total tourist arrivals dropped more than three per cent in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2025, with visitors from Italy down around 9.6pc, according to the latest tourism ministry figures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Web desk(National Times)- A viral video of a Thai woman confronting a group of noisy Italian teenagers who exchange vulgar words and gestures on a Bangkok train prompted online backlash and an apology from Italy\u2019s embassy on Saturday. The TikTok video, posted on Friday, was shared more than 28,000 times with the caption: \u201cWhat nationality […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":130072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-130071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n