Pichayapa Natha, known by her stage name Namsai, sparked outrage for wearing a shirt depicting a swastika during a concert rehearsal for Thailand’s idol group BNK48.
Namsai was caught on camera donning the shirt last Friday prior to performing in the BNK48 Space Mission Concert at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.
Smadar Shapira, the Deputy Chief of Mission of Israel in Thailand, expressed “shock and dismay” after witnessing the singer wearing the shirt during the televised rehearsal. It happened just days before International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, according to South China Morning Post.
“The Embassy of Israel in Thailand expresses its shock and dismay over the Nazi outfit worn by the singer of BNK48 band. Tomorrow, January 27, is the International Day of Remembrance of the victims of the holocaust, and the world will commemorate 6 million Jews who perished,” Shapira wrote in her Twitter post.
“Presenting Nazi symbols by the band’s singer, hurt the feelings of millions around the world, whose relatives were murdered by the Nazis.”
Namsai, along with the CEO of BNK48, met with H.E. Ambassador of Israel Dr. Meir Shlomo to show and express their sincere apology.
During their visit to the ambassador’s residence, the members of the group agreed to hold an educational activity in the future.
“I understand that it was an act arising from lack of knowledge and lack of awareness, and I’m pleased that they have apologized and agreed to hold together an educational activity in the future,” the ambassador said.
The Thai idol member tearfully apologized in front of their fans during the group’s concert on Sunday, Bangkok Post reported.
“It’s my mistake and my ignorance. Please forgive Namsai, please,” she said.
She also posted an apology in Thai on her official Facebook page following the concert.
“I really want to apologise and I feel guilty about what happened due to my mistake,” Namsai said. “I cannot go back to correct the mistake but I promise it will never happen again.”
The group’s office also posted a statement on Facebook:
“We would like to offer our sincere apologies for the incident on 25 January 2019 when one of the members wore a costume which included inappropriate imagery. We inadvertently caused dismay and distress to people all over the world affected by these crimes against humanity. In the future, we will take better precautions and make every effort to ensure that an incident of this kind will never happen again.”
Featured Image via Instagram / arty_2545 (Left), Instagram / namsai.bnk48official (Right)
