Netizen Backlash and Identification
As the video spread rapidly online, Thai internet users quickly tracked down the group’s origins, identifying them as students from the Liceo Scientifico A. Einstein school in Italy who were visiting Thailand on an educational field trip.
Following a barrage of critical comments, several students involved set their personal social media accounts to private.
“Momentary Excitement Is No Excuse”
In response to the growing public anger, TravellingFox Estate INPSieme, the Italian agency responsible for organising the educational trip, released an official statement seeking to distance the firm from the teenagers’ behaviour.
We sincerely apologise that this brief incident portrayed an image that does not reflect the values we have held and promoted for many years,” the agency stated.
Acknowledging that the group consisted of teenage students, many of whom are minors, the company suggested that “momentary excitement” in a foreign country can sometimes lead to “overly exuberant behaviour in public spaces”.
However, the agency was quick to clarify that youthfulness was no justification for poor manners.
“This does not excuse or justify any inappropriate gestures or conduct, which do not represent our tour company’s values, nor do they represent the majority of our trip participants,” the statement read.