Video captures Thai airport security guard hitting Chinese tourist, prompting government to apologise
The quick response from Thai authorities highlights lingering sensitivity over Chinese tourists, following a deadly boat accident in Phuket in July
A video clip of a Chinese tourist being hit by an airport guard in Thailand has prompted a flurry of apologies and vows to take action, as the government went into damage control over the incident.
China is Thailand’s biggest source of tourists, making up about a quarter of its 35 million annual visitors.
But a boating disaster on the popular island of Phuket in July that killed dozens of Chinese holidaymakers has caused a drop-off in visits and put Thailand on alert for problems that could impact the market.
The clip on September 27 at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport, which shows a guard briefly scuffling with and then hitting a man, fell into that category and quickly set off reactions from some of the highest levels of government.
Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, a spokesman for the government, said on Sunday that Prime Minister and junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha was “upset” by the incident.
“The prime minister thought that even though the tourist could not produce documents to reaffirm his accommodation in Thailand, refused to stay in a detention room, and acted inappropriately with officials, still officials must compose themselves and treat him in line with international practice,” Sunsern said in a message to reporters.