An Italian woman has appealed for online abuse to stop after Thai social-media users apparently mistook her for one of a group of Italian exchange students involved in a row on Bangkok's BTS train.
The woman, who uses the Instagram account "carolina.cdv", said she had never been to Thailand and was not one of those shown in the widely shared video. Her post came on 25 July 2026 after her Instagram account was flooded with hostile messages.
BTS video triggered widespread criticism
The original clip showed a group described as Italian exchange students making loud noise on a Silom Line train travelling towards Sala Daeng station.
A Thai passenger approached the group and asked them to lower their voices. According to the report, the passenger was met with rude language, while the group's behaviour was widely criticised online as inappropriate.
The footage quickly sparked strong reactions on Thai social media, with users seeking out accounts believed to belong to people involved in the incident.
Instagram user says she has never visited Thailand
Carolina.cdv posted photographs comparing herself with one of the women in the exchange-student group, whose appearance she said resembled her own.
She wrote: "I have never been to Thailand. I am not that woman!! Please stop writing to me and my friends!"
Her appeal highlights the risks of online identification campaigns, particularly when people rely on resemblance rather than confirmed information. For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the case is also a reminder that a viral dispute can spread well beyond the people directly involved - and that social-media accusations may be directed at the wrong person.
Visitors using public transport are expected to be considerate of other passengers, but complaints about behaviour should be handled through train staff or other appropriate channels rather than through online harassment of unverified individuals.
Thai users offer apologies
Some Thai social-media users later posted apologies on the Italian woman's account after realising she had been wrongly targeted.
One wrote: "I sincerely apologise on behalf of Thai people who misunderstood and hurt you. Many people here regret it. It may be difficult for us to distinguish foreign faces. I wish you happiness, peace and success in the future."
Other messages included: "Okay, I'm sorry. Love you," and, "I apologise on behalf of all Thai people who misunderstood. You happened to look like that woman. I sincerely apologise."
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26 July 2026
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