Two ‘drunk’ backpackers face years in hell-hole Thai prison after being caught on camera ripping down the country’s flags
Locals in the deeply patriotic country slammed the pair's 'disgusting' actions
THIS is the moment two "disgusting" backpackers rip down half a dozen Thai flags — a crime that could see them locked up in one of the country's notorious prisons.
Ian Gerstgrasser, 18, and Tobias Gamper, 22, were caught on CCTV during what witnesses described as a drunken rampage.
They can be seen laughing as they yank six national flags — featuring the distinctive blue, white and red stripes — off the wall of a shop.
Deeply patriotic Thailand has just begun to emerge from a state of mourning after the death of King Bhumibol, 88, in October, heightening authorities' sensitivities.
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Footage of the vandalism went viral, with locals branding them ''disgusting foreigners'' for ''disrespecting the country they visit''.
Cops tracked down the pair of Italians and they were forced to make a grovelling apology on camera.
Officials are considering what further punishment they should face — but destroying the national flag carries a jail term of up to two years.
Furious local Anake Saranath, who spotted them on CCTV, said: ''They've shown a deliberate lack of respect of respect to the country. They are two animals.
''They should act properly when they go on holiday to another person's country. It's disgusting. People are very angry.
''It was very easy for police to find them because it is such a small area.
"They were arrested and taken to the station.
"They had been partying and drinking but that is no excuse.''
Wattana Saranart, 65, who owns the shop, said he was ''disappointed at the men's insulting behaviour''.
Destroying the national flag in Thailand carries a jail term of up to two years and a fine of 4,000THB (£80).
A separate offence of deriding a flag carries a six-month prison sentence and a 1,000THB (£20) fine.
A spokesman for Krabi Police said they were still deciding what punishment the pair should face.
He added: ''They have made a lot of people angry. They were arrested and taken to the station.
"They apologised and they will be punished.''
Last week video emerged of the terrifying moment a hail of flaming fireworks rained down on a screaming crowd of New Years revellers in the south of the country.
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