BNK48, Thai girl group, apologises to Israeli ambassador over Nazi swastika shirt

One of Thailand's most popular girl groups has been forced to apologise after one of its singers wore a shirt emblazoned with a Nazi swastika during a televised performance.

The photos of BNK48 singer Pichayapa "Namsai" Natha, 19, went viral after surfacing on social media at the weekend, prompting Israel's embassy in Thailand to post a statement on Twitter expressing, "shock and dismay over the Nazi outfit worn by the singer".

"Presenting Nazi symbols by the band's singer, hurt the feelings of millions around the world, whose relatives were murdered by the Nazis," it said.

In a statement posted online, Natha apologised for the gaffe, conceding: "It's all my mistake."

Management of the group, noted more for its marketing prowess than its musical abilities, also apologised that they had, "inadvertently caused dismay and distress to people affected" by the historical crime against humanity.

The singer has since met with the Israeli ambassador to apologise in person, and has agreed to participate in an, "educational workshop on the Holocaust in order to emphasise their commitment to this important subject", the embassy said.

Incidents involving insensitive use of Nazi symbols occur from time to time in Thailand, where there is little awareness of the Holocaust and an inclination to use them as design elements or comic props.

Past scandals have involved bars, restaurants, motels and clothing using swastikas and images of Hitler for decorative purposes.

But on several occasions, students at schools and colleges have mimicked Nazi regalia and rituals, including the infamous "Heil, Hitler" salute, in skits, artworks and ceremonies.

Thais are not alone among the peoples of Asia with little knowledge or sensitivity about the Holocaust.

Late last year, management for South Korean hit K-pop boy band BTS had to apologise for one of its members wearing a T-shirt depicting the explosion of an atomic bomb and another a hat with a Nazi emblem, in a magazine photo book.

Band members previously flew flags with what appeared to be the Nazi swastika during a concert.

In 2016, the producer for Japanese all-girl "idol" group Keyakizaka46 joined Sony Music in apologising after the popular act performed in outfits resembling Nazi-era German military uniforms.

Anthony's Weiner wrote: ↑Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:52 am Wasn 't it just 15 years ago that HRH The Duke of Sussex, The Earl of Dumbarton , The Barron Kilkeel, (AKA) Prince Harry dressed up in an Afrika Corp uniform complete with swastika? And he was well educated and came from a family that had fought the Nazis.

hanno wrote: ↑Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:45 am As I wrote on TOF:

The Hindu Swastika looks different and this is obviously a Hakenkreuz, especially with that background.

Are they Nazis? Of course not, like most Thais they have absolutely no idea what the Hakenkreuz represents, who Hitler was, or what he did. As in Cambodia or Vietnam, that part of history is hardly covered at schools. Here timing could not have been worse though, considering yesterday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day.