Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 66-year-old Thai man, reportedly a senior public prosecutor and his 30-year-old daughter were arrested by police at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on charges of assaulting an airline employee.

 

According to Japanese media reports, the incident occurred on 12 May at approximately 14:45, local time at the departure counter of Terminal 1. The pair allegedly became involved in a dispute with a 28-year-old airline staff member over what they claimed was poor customer service.

 

During the altercation, the father was accused of grabbing the employee by the arm. He later claimed to be a public prosecutor and admitted to the allegations during police questioning. His daughter, who is self-employed, denied any physical contact with the staff member.

 

Both individuals had reportedly been on holiday in Japan and were preparing to return to Thailand when the incident occurred.

 

Further investigation by Japanese authorities confirmed the man’s identity as a senior prosecutor in Thailand, but no further details were made public. The Thai Public Prosecutors Commission has been notified of the matter and both individuals are still under investigation by Japanese law enforcement.

 

The incident has drawn attention in both Japan and Thailand, particularly due to the father’s high-profile position in the Thai judicial system.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-17.

 

 

 

Will there be crickets from the typically easily outraged Thai netizens over these disrespectful tourists?

Don't you know who I am?

I'm sure that her contribution was "Don't you know who my father is?".

As much as I may enjoy a good Thai bash, I'd have to see the instant replay.  Some airline employees are real snowflakes.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

As much as I may enjoy a good Thai bash

 

Are you suggesting that anyone criticising these people for assaulting airline staff would be "Thai bashing"?

Reminds me of the Thai diplomat who was in Japan for some conference about ten years ago.  He was arrested at the airport for stealing paintings off the wall of the conference center.  Had them in his bag, claimed he was only "borrowing" them.

As the Japanese say ' thais are the children of asia '.

4 hours ago, impulse said:

As much as I may enjoy a good Thai bash, I'd have to see the instant replay.  Some airline employees are real snowflakes.

 

Key word is Japan. It is a nation where people bend over backwards to be polite. Even the Japanese hiso are polite to 7-11 clerks.

4 hours ago, impulse said:

As much as I may enjoy a good Thai bash, I'd have to see the instant replay.  Some airline employees are real snowflakes.

HEY ... I resemble that, employee, not snowflake part.  

 

Never argue with someone who has control of where you sit on a plane, until you have your boarding pass 

 

Unless you want to sit in a center seat, exit row area that doesn't recline, or bulkhead with no leg room 😎  

7 hours ago, Cuchulainn said:

Don't you know who I am?

 

Similar to the high ranking person (I can't remember who) who slapped a security guard at Suvarnaphummi Airport for wanting to do a security check on him.

5 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Are you suggesting that anyone criticising these people for assaulting airline staff would be "Thai bashing"?

 

If I haven't seen the video, I don't know what they did. 

 

Keep in mind that the legal hurdle for "assault" is putting someone in fear.  Like maybe misgendering them.  It doesn't even require contact.  And I've seen airline employees go bonkers and call for security when someone tapped them on the shoulder to get their attention.

 

So I'll wait to see the video.

 

10 hours ago, impulse said:

As much as I may enjoy a good Thai bash, I'd have to see the instant replay.  Some airline employees are real snowflakes.

 

For example...

6 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Key word is Japan. It is a nation where people bend over backwards to be polite. Even the Japanese hiso are polite to 7-11 clerks.

Keep in mind that Japan is a socialist country / society. Everybody is equal, everybody is the same level.

11 hours ago, impulse said:

As much as I may enjoy a good Thai bash, I'd have to see the instant replay.  Some airline employees are real snowflakes.

 

Possibly... Thai tourists, unfortunately, tend to carry a rather poor reputation in Japan. Over the past five years - particularly since the introduction of visa-easing measures - there’s been a marked increase in Thai visitors, alongside an even more significant influx of Chinese tourists. This surge has arguably intensified a growing local resentment towards mass tourism in general in Japan.

 

Japanese airline ground staff, especially at check-in counters, can be astonishingly pedantic. They enforce regulations with almost robotic precision - a single kilogram over the baggage allowance or a centimetre beyond size limits can incur additional fees, no exceptions.

 

I once found myself in such a situation. My bag, containing ski equipment, measured 191cm - just 1cm over the stated limit. What followed was a minor circus with multiple staff members getting involved over the 1cm drama..

... I stood the bag up, shook it, laid it down, asked them to re-measured...  it was declared acceptable.

 

And therein lies the issue: what in Thailand might be overlooked as a trivial discrepancy is, in Japan, handled with rigid formality. Pair that cultural contrast with a simmering frustration over ‘over-tourism’ and perhaps a sense of entitlement or a “Do you know who I am?” attitude from some visitors... and you’ve got the perfect conditions for the kind of incident we so often read about.

 

As for the matter of the man grabbing the woman’s arm - it’s inappropriate and very wrong, I don’t condone it. But to label it as assault seems to be rather a stretch... 

 

 

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

Keep in mind that Japan is a socialist country / society. Everybody is equal, everybody is the same level.

What? Japan is certainly not socialist. Nor is everybody equal in Japan.

The means of production are in the control of the private sector, not government. it is a system of collective capitalism.  You have misinterpreted the societal and cultural norm of harmony and  conciliation. 

You also misinterpret the concept of politeness and respect  to mean equality. Social cohesion  does not mean that everyone is at the same level. Children are taught at a young age to respect authority figures including the elderly, which results in a greater respect for order. 

 

There is also a distinct social caste system, where social position and family history is a differentiating factor. Non Japanese, particularly black people are at the bottom of the hierarchy. Ex-cons, undertakers, morticians, and slaughterhouse workers, and others who work with  dead animals or decaying flesh are considered low class dirty people and are to be avoided.  The university one attends  makes a big difference. Tokyo Institute of Technology and University of Tokyo  graduates  get priority  for hiring at businesses and with the government. People with tattoos are still banned from some of  the onsens and sentos. Even water parks and  work district hotels will not allow entry to people with visible tattoos.   The social differentiations  are nuanced and can be subtle, and are easily missed by foreigners who do not appreciate how important decorum and manners are to the Japanese.

 

9 hours ago, scorecard said:

Keep in mind that Japan is a socialist country / society. Everybody is equal, everybody is the same level.

Don't pull your punches, Score.

 

Japan is an America-hating radical far left Marxist.

 

...according to the new dictionary. 

18 hours ago, scorecard said:

Keep in mind that Japan is a socialist country / society. Everybody is equal, everybody is the same level.

Is that why they always bow down , sensei ?  

Respect or for status ?

28 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Is that why they always bow down , sensei ?  

Respect or for status ?

Mutual respect for each other

Going through Japanese airport can be stressfull . 

Here's a documentairy about it : look for RCT 578 . 😉

1 minute ago, saakura said:

Mutual respect for each other

I've seen them on their knees bowing , much more than mutual respect.

On 5/17/2025 at 11:12 AM, hotelbri said:

As the Japanese say ' thais are the children of asia '.

...and it is not meant as the belittling or disparaging observation as your post seems to imply, it is more  of a protective or affectionate remark.

On 5/17/2025 at 11:12 AM, hotelbri said:

As the Japanese say ' thais are the children of asia '.

 

 

In short.....No, “Thais are the children of Asia” is not a Japanese phrase - not in language, culture, or common usage.

 

It does not exist in Japanese idiom or proverbs, and there is no record of it being a traditional saying or a recognised expression in Japan.

 

Native Japanese speakers and scholars of Japanese culture would likely find the phrase unfamiliar and puzzling.

 

If it has ever been said, it’s likely from a non-Japanese source, possibly used metaphorically, patronisingly, or romantically by an outsider referring to Thailand’s cultural charm or position in Asia.

 

 

Thus: where did you get this 'idea' from that the Japanese say this ??? 

18 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

As for the matter of the man grabbing the woman’s arm - it’s inappropriate and very wrong, I don’t condone it. But to label it as assault seems to be rather a stretch... 

 

That's not what such action is "labelled" as, it is, legally, exactly what it is, no stretch is required.

On 5/17/2025 at 4:47 AM, Georgealbert said:

grabbing the employee by the arm

well, well, well........Mr. Foreigner.    You are about to have a very bad day.

 

Thanks for playing.  

On 5/16/2025 at 11:56 PM, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Will there be crickets from the typically easily outraged Thai netizens over these disrespectful tourists?

 

What have crickets got to do with this?

 

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_(insect)?wprov=sfla1

23 hours ago, scorecard said:

Keep in mind that Japan is a socialist country / society. Everybody is equal, everybody is the same level.

Is that a joke?

japan has the death penalty  ,, hang them high !!!!!

On 5/17/2025 at 5:56 AM, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Will there be crickets from the typically easily outraged Thai netizens over these disrespectful tourists?

NOOO

On 5/17/2025 at 9:47 PM, Patong2021 said:

What? Japan is certainly not socialist. Nor is everybody equal in Japan.

The means of production are in the control of the private sector, not government. it is a system of collective capitalism.  You have misinterpreted the societal and cultural norm of harmony and  conciliation. 

You also misinterpret the concept of politeness and respect  to mean equality. Social cohesion  does not mean that everyone is at the same level. Children are taught at a young age to respect authority figures including the elderly, which results in a greater respect for order. 

 

There is also a distinct social caste system, where social position and family history is a differentiating factor. Non Japanese, particularly black people are at the bottom of the hierarchy. Ex-cons, undertakers, morticians, and slaughterhouse workers, and others who work with  dead animals or decaying flesh are considered low class dirty people and are to be avoided.  The university one attends  makes a big difference. Tokyo Institute of Technology and University of Tokyo  graduates  get priority  for hiring at businesses and with the government. People with tattoos are still banned from some of  the onsens and sentos. Even water parks and  work district hotels will not allow entry to people with visible tattoos.   The social differentiations  are nuanced and can be subtle, and are easily missed by foreigners who do not appreciate how important decorum and manners are to the Japanese.

 

Are the one who cut fish at the market considered low class in japan?