Bangkok: A police report has been filed against a Thai woman who had an argument with a group of Italian students on the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS). The incident has drawn widespread criticism among Thai netizens after the students filed a complaint against her.
According to Thai News Agency, the altercation unfolded when a group of Italian students visiting Thailand were causing a disturbance on the BTS Skytrain. The Thai woman, Nong Sugus, 25, who was returning home from work, asked the students to be quiet after they boarded at Sala Daeng Station and made noise until Chong Nonsi Station. Her request was met with vulgar language and rude gestures from the students, causing a heated argument.
The situation escalated when the adults supervising the students sided with them instead of reprimanding their behavior. They dismissed Nong's request by questioning how they could keep the noise down with so many people and sarcastically apologized for "bringing money" to Thailand.
Nong reported the incident to the Samrae Police Station after enduring nearly five hours of questioning. She expressed her discomfort and disappointment, noting that no other passengers came to her aid during the ordeal. The police are now gathering evidence to file charges against the students, aiming to set a precedent that foreign visitors must respect the rights of locals.
The incident went viral after a video was posted on social media, leading to a public backlash against the students. Although the group released a video apologizing for their actions, Nong felt it was insincere and generalized, as it did not address her specifically. She called for a more genuine apology and cautioned against resorting to violence, emphasizing the importance of preserving Thailand's reputation.
Nong expressed gratitude for the support she received but insisted that a light disciplinary action would suffice, underscoring the need for mutual respect and understanding.