Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport has apologised for “inappropriate behaviour” following backlash over an employee making a slant-eyed gesture towards reportedly disruptive Chinese nationals.
The apology came soon after Thai authorities insisted that individual clashes would not harm bilateral relations.
In a statement on Tuesday night, airport management expressed regret over the “inappropriate behaviour and expressions of the personnel concerned”, noting that disciplinary action had been taken against the guard involved.
The incident happened around 11pm last Wednesday when fans of a Chinese celebrity taking a Beijing-bound flight reportedly breached boarding area procedures and refused to cooperate with ticket and document checks, the airport said.
According to the airport, the fans caused continuous disruptions, prompting officials to deny them boarding.
Ten fans later refused to offload their luggage and engaged in “provocative behaviour towards the staff during the operation, which led to the incident that occurred during situation control”.
