Bangkok airport apologises after clash with Chinese tourists at boarding gate

Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport has issued an apology following an incident where an employee allegedly made a "slant-eyed gesture" towards Chinese tourists. The airport management expressed regret for the "inappropriate behaviour and expressions of the personnel concerned" and confirmed that disciplinary action has been taken against the guard involved.

The clash occurred last Wednesday around 11 p.m. when fans of a Chinese celebrity, awaiting a flight to Beijing, reportedly breached boarding area procedures. According to the airport, these fans refused to cooperate with ticket and document checks, causing disruptions and leading to officials denying them boarding.

Airport authorities stated that ten fans subsequently refused to offload their luggage. Their "provocative behaviour towards the staff during the operation" escalated the situation, resulting in the incident during the control phase. Thai authorities have insisted that such individual clashes will not damage bilateral relations between Thailand and China.