9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

There is no law that states that loud speaking in a BTS train forbids.

Yes, there is. BTS SkyTrain Regulations prohibit unreasonable loud noise, unruly behavior, or actions that cause a public nuisance within the system. Fines can be imposed.

27 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

UPDATE

Italian BTS group could face charges and visa action

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Thai police say Italian students accused of disrupting passengers on Bangkok's BTS could face prosecution under Thai law, while immigration authorities may consider cancelling their visas if legal grounds are found.

The comments came on 25 July 2026 after a video circulated online showing a group of Italian students visiting Thailand making loud noise on a BTS train. A Thai passenger who asked them to stop was allegedly met with abusive language, sexually threatening gestures and an insulting remark.

The group were also heard saying, "Sorry for bringing money to your country," according to reports of the footage. An argument followed, and the students reportedly made middle-finger gestures after leaving the train.

Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phewphan, deputy inspector-general and spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said a person who believes they have been insulted, demeaned or had their human dignity affected can make a police complaint.

Thai law applies to all visitors

Trairong said the alleged conduct took place in Thailand, meaning Thai law applies regardless of whether the people involved are Thai nationals or foreigners. Anyone found to have committed an offence in the kingdom is subject to the same legal process and penalties, he said.

He added that making excessive noise on the BTS, a public transport service, could potentially amount to causing a public nuisance or breaching the operator's rules. Any offence would depend on the circumstances and relevant regulations.

Videos and images shared online can be important evidence for officers considering whether to take legal action, Trairong said.

Visa cancellation remains an immigration matter

Asked whether the students' visas could be revoked, Trairong said this fell under the authority of the relevant agencies under immigration law.

If officials investigate and find conduct that meets criteria set out in the law, they can consider further action through the required legal procedures, he said. He did not say whether immigration action had begun in this case.

The incident has prompted strong criticism online over the behaviour seen in the video and questions over whether the Thai passenger could pursue a case.

Police urge passengers not to confront troublemakers

Trairong advised members of the public who encounter similar behaviour to remain calm, avoid direct confrontation and put safety first.

Passengers should collect whatever evidence they can safely obtain, then promptly report the matter to police or the responsible authority so it can be handled through the justice process, he said.

Join the discussion?

25 July 2026

Oh the outrage. grow a pair Thailand.

Edited July 25Jul 25 by rocketboy2

6 hours ago, Zimar said:

...fine the tourist operator would send a strong message.

Ridiculous. What has the tour operater done to deserve a fine?

6 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

As for the comment about "bringing money into the country," that's a common expression used worldwide by someone who feels they're being unnecessarily berated by a local over something trivial

As for the comment about "bringing money into the country," that's a common expression used worldwide by pompous, arrogant, self-important people who feel they're being unnecessarily berated by a local over something trivial.

11 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

As for the comment about "bringing money into the country," that's a common expression used worldwide by pompous, arrogant, self-important people who feel they're being unnecessarily berated by a local over something trivial.

They were kids.

The "Thais don't scream" comment made me smile.

Basically, all i saw was excited young people talking loudly which took a turn for the worse when confronted by 'TikTokker' wanting a couple of likes to make herself feel important.

A quiet word in one of their ears would probably have worked much more effectively rather than choosing to start videoing them.

We all made mistakes when we first arrived in Thailand, it's a learning process.

29 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Yes, there is. BTS SkyTrain Regulations prohibit unreasonable loud noise, unruly behavior, or actions that cause a public nuisance within the system. Fines can be imposed.

And whete is that announced on the trains or platforms?

27 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Yes, there is. BTS SkyTrain Regulations prohibit unreasonable loud noise, unruly behavior, or actions that cause a public nuisance within the system. Fines can be imposed.

And I watched the video as well, they certainly were not being unruly, nor did they fit into any category stated above in my view.

They were just doing what teenagers do, she started events going downhill by being the Thai equivalent of a ' Karen '

I've seen a hell of a lot worse in the UK from kids that age, and you can't even see their face to speak with them properly, for the coverings.

Edited July 25Jul 25 by Scouse123

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

UPDATE

Italian BTS group could face charges and visa action

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Thai police say Italian students accused of disrupting passengers on Bangkok's BTS could face prosecution under Thai law, while immigration authorities may consider cancelling their visas if legal grounds are found.

The comments came on 25 July 2026 after a video circulated online showing a group of Italian students visiting Thailand making loud noise on a BTS train. A Thai passenger who asked them to stop was allegedly met with abusive language, sexually threatening gestures and an insulting remark.

The group were also heard saying, "Sorry for bringing money to your country," according to reports of the footage. An argument followed, and the students reportedly made middle-finger gestures after leaving the train.

Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phewphan, deputy inspector-general and spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said a person who believes they have been insulted, demeaned or had their human dignity affected can make a police complaint.

Thai law applies to all visitors

Trairong said the alleged conduct took place in Thailand, meaning Thai law applies regardless of whether the people involved are Thai nationals or foreigners. Anyone found to have committed an offence in the kingdom is subject to the same legal process and penalties, he said.

Thailandtravel guides

He added that making excessive noise on the BTS, a public transport service, could potentially amount to causing a public nuisance or breaching the operator's rules. Any offence would depend on the circumstances and relevant regulations.

Videos and images shared online can be important evidence for officers considering whether to take legal action, Trairong said.

Visa cancellation remains an immigration matter

Asked whether the students' visas could be revoked, Trairong said this fell under the authority of the relevant agencies under immigration law.

If officials investigate and find conduct that meets criteria set out in the law, they can consider further action through the required legal procedures, he said. He did not say whether immigration action had begun in this case.

The incident has prompted strong criticism online over the behaviour seen in the video and questions over whether the Thai passenger could pursue a case.

Police urge passengers not to confront troublemakers

Trairong advised members of the public who encounter similar behaviour to remain calm, avoid direct confrontation and put safety first.

Passengers should collect whatever evidence they can safely obtain, then promptly report the matter to police or the responsible authority so it can be handled through the justice process, he said.

Join the discussion?

25 July 2026

Thr students should file a complain to the woman. Illegal picture/video taping without blurring faces, insulting the group by using not decent Engels words and sentences, and several more. Besides this ridiculous act should be shared on several platforms to show people how tourism in Thailand works.

There is sometimes an unfortunate trend to think that people n a foreign country do not understand what visitors are saying, so the visitors have freedom to say what they like, regardless of how offensive it is.

The itlianns behaviour is not acceptable, and it is no excuse to call them "minors" They appear to me to be young adults and quite old enough to know how to be have decently in public.

Groups of Thais might have been known to talk loudly, but this is no excuse for others to copy their boorish behaviour. One bad deed is not righted by another.

Scanning some of the Thai posts to X/Twitter last night and this morning, I saw some posters claimed to have discovered the Italians' hotel and were planning on staking it out. Several major Thai media platforms are contributing to the "excitement." There is an unhealthy frenzy about all this.

10 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thr students should file a complain to the woman. Illegal picture/video taping without blurring faces, insulting the group by using not decent Engels words and sentences, and several more. Besides this ridiculous act should be shared on several platforms to show people how tourism in Thailand works.

Or... they could lay criminal charges against the woman for libel. In Thailand, if you've lost face in public, and especially if the person broadcast it on social media, that's clear libel (by Thai standards) - because your reputation has been damaged and humiliated in public. It doesn't matter whether the person(s) deserved it or not - the fact is your reputation has been damaged and the other person is therefore guilty as charged. It's also why some of the more astute mainstream media are hiding the faces. Because they too could be named in a criminal libel action.

1 hour ago, rocketboy2 said:

Oh the outrage. grow a pair Thailand.

They are shooting themselves in the foot.

If they go after tourists for minor issues like this, tourists will be less inclined to come here.

It's sad that they made the Italian Embassy lose face over this.

A thai complaining about noise. Priceless.

8 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Or... they could lay criminal charges against the woman for libel.

Tourists ... they won't be here long.

But maybe they should give the Thai Embassy in Rome a hard time.

Just now, save the frogs said:

They are shooting themselves in the foot.

If they go after tourists for minor issues like this, tourists will be less inclined to come here.

It's sad that they made the Italian Embassy lose face over this.

It will definitely not stop me, or people like me. If it discourages people they do not want in Thailand from coming, I salute that. As someone once said, less is more. 😉

16 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Scanning some of the Thai posts to X/Twitter last night and this morning, I saw some posters claimed to have discovered the Italians' hotel and were planning on staking it out. Several major Thai media platforms are contributing to the "excitement." There is an unhealthy frenzy about all this.

This Thai fella followed them back to the hotel,

it seems the story is getting bigger and bigger ... some of you still defend the young italien and blame the thai lady for wrongdoing? ....

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=chiang%20mai%20post

Edited July 25Jul 25 by motdaeng

1 minute ago, roo860 said:

This Thai fella followed them back to the hotel,

The potential for violence seems to be escalating. The statement from the Italian embassy (I went to their X account) has only generated more hostile posts.

3 minutes ago, roo860 said:

This Thai fella followed them back to the hotel,

This is way out of control.

Just now, John Drake said:

The potential for violence seems to be escalating. The statement from the Italian embassy (I went to their X account) has only generated more hostile posts.

This is nuts. Reminds me of how the Cambodians rioted in Phnom Penh and sacked the Thai Embassy over comments a Thai actress made..

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They weren't actually screaming actually?

They were being a tad rowdy is all.

Back off for a moment.

If this incident was never recorded, it would have been a total nothing burger that Thai commuters probably wouldn't have told their mates or friends about later, yes?

Rowdy young people. Rowdy foreigners or whatever. YAWN.

Considering what's going in the world these days, the hysterically absurd amplification of such things is even more darkly ridiculous.

To wit, the "American lawyer" going postal.

It's all about respect, or lack thereof. Respect the land, the history, the language, the traditions, and the societal norms. Travelling should be about understanding where you are, and appreciating what makes that place unique. The best travellers do not simply visit a culture. They listen to it, and learn from it. If you can't do that, maybe you should travel less. Sure, Thais can be loud (at festivals, Karaoke, etc.). They love to have fun (in the right places). But what you don't typically see are Thais being loud and obnoxious on public transport. Context is everything for a Thai. And yes, the Thai women took the bold (and decidedly, un-Thai) approach of confronting the offenders. I'm glad she did. Sometimes people need to be called out in order to bring problems to the fore.

10 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

FAR fewer than that 😔

You mean far more and rising all the time. 🤷🏼

Well, six of one and half a dozen of the other here. Yes, the loud-mouthed moron tourists are clearly culturally unaware and belligerent, but the Thai woman is also living in fantasy land too expecting some sort of culture auto-compliance from all.

Italians making too much noise. I must remember this the next time I am staying in Thailand and some Thais are having a party and 100dB music blaring out until 2 am.

UPDATE

Italian Exchange Students Accused of Shoplifting in Bangkok

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Italian exchange students who sparked outrage over their behaviour on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain have now been accused of shoplifting promotional items from a shopping mall in the capital shortly before the train incident.

According to reports from witnesses said the incident took place inside a shopping mall in the Rama 9 area, where a group of almost 30 Italian exchange students entered a car manufacturer’s promotional booth.

Promotional items allegedly taken twice

Witnesses said one male student, identified as the same individual later seen making an obscene gesture in the widely shared BTS video, initially approached staff politely and asked for permission to look inside the display vehicle. Staff allowed him to do so.

However, the situation quickly changed when the rest of the group reportedly rushed into the booth and began taking promotional items that had been put on display. Witnesses alleged the students helped themselves to multiple “lucky dip” prize capsules as well as other giveaway items including hand sanitiser, car cleaning cloths and notebooks.

Staff reportedly asked the students to return the items, but witnesses claimed the group ignored the requests, pretended not to understand and walked away carrying the goods.

According to the report, the same group returned to the booth later and allegedly attempted to take more of the promotional prize capsules. Staff intervened and stopped them before they left the area. Witnesses also claimed no shopping centre security personnel attended or intervened during either incident.

Behaviour under increasing scrutiny

The alleged shoplifting took place before the same group appeared in a viral social media video showing disruptive behaviour aboard a BTS Skytrain service, an incident that has attracted widespread criticism in Thailand.

The BTS footage prompted an apology from the Italian educational tour operator responsible for organising the students’ trip after the video circulated widely online. Thai police have also said they are examining whether any laws were broken and have indicated that visa cancellation and deportation could be considered if offences are established.

The allegations relating to the shopping mall have not yet resulted in any announced criminal charges, and the claims are based on witness accounts reported by Thai media.

25 July 2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1J85ZFG6Eb/

The Thai fella that followed them back speaking to one of the students

Edited July 25Jul 25 by roo860

7 hours ago, visalady said:

Nowhere near as bad as a group of Chinese shouting and yakking at each other, Indians are not much better either. Does not take much to stoke up the netizens into a xenophobic furry.

This has nothing to do with nationality. It's simply a social phenomenon. Young people, when in groups, feel the need to assert themselves with their peers, whether through gestures or voices. Whether they're French, Dutch, English, Spanish, German, or Italian, all European countries are affected. I get the impression that Asians are much more reserved about this, but that's just an impression. The worst experience you can have is encountering this in a holiday park. They'll bother you everywhere you go: the pool, the beach, sports activities, restaurants, entertainment, and even at night in the hallways and rooms—there will be a commotion. The only solution will be to put up with it or leave. A word of advice: check reviews before venturing into such places.