Italian media reported on a video showing Italian teenagers behaving inappropriately on the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, which sparked criticism in Thailand and led the Italian Embassy to issue an apology statement along with an apology video from the involved students.
On 27 July 2026, Corriere della Sera, a leading Italian media outlet, along with several other outlets, reported on a video of a group of Italian students visiting Thailand for a study trip who behaved inappropriately on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain, causing widespread public criticism and prompting the Italian Embassy in Thailand to express regret over the incident.
The report stated that the incident occurred after a Thai female passenger asked the student group to lower their voices while riding the train. Some members of the group then recorded a video mocking and speaking disrespectfully. One phrase that sparked heavy criticism was, "We apologize for bringing money to your country," which was seen as insulting to Thai people and their culture.
The video was posted on 23 July and quickly spread on Thai social media before being covered by several TV stations, leading many netizens to call on the Italian Embassy to take action against those responsible.
Following the backlash, the Italian Embassy released a video apology from the students involved, including the individual who made the controversial remarks. All expressed remorse for their behavior, apologized to the Thai public for their inappropriate conduct and disrespect of Thai culture, and revealed that the student who made the statement will return to Italy within a few days.
Source: Corriere della Sera