University issues apology over Hitler photos

University issues apology over Hitler photos

Rector Chaicharn Thavaravej claimed Tuesday that Silpakorn University has apologised to the Israeli ambassador after photos leaked online showing students celebrating Hitler, Nazis and Mao Tse-tung's Red Guards at a party.
Rector Chaicharn Thavaravej claimed Tuesday that Silpakorn University has apologised to the Israeli ambassador after photos leaked online showing students celebrating Hitler, Nazis and Mao Tse-tung's Red Guards at a party.

Silpakorn University sent a letter of apology to the Israeli embassy Tuesday after several of its students performed a cosplay in which Adolf Hitler was depicted at a freshmen-welcoming party.

University rector Chaicharn Thavaravej said the university's apology was accepted by the ambassador.

He said a committee will investigate which students were involved in the cosplay, images of which went viral on the internet on Sunday.

Photos were posted of a group of Silpakorn University students -- said to be students of the Faculty of Decorative Arts -- wearing uniforms worn by Chinese Red Guards during Mao Zedong's cultural revolution.

One student was also dressed as Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, who along with his henchmen were responsible for the murder of about six million Jewish people during World War II.

The students are seen giving a Nazi salute in one of the photos.

The photos went viral after being posted online by Silpakorn student Washirawit Santipiboon, who has since taken them down.

Mr Chaicharn said any punishments meted out to the students will depend on the investigation committee.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, Mr Chaicharn said the university would raise the topic at an administrative meeting and plan an exhibition to educate students and the public about genocide and world history.

He admitted the incident reflected the poor knowledge Thai students have of world history.

The Office of the Higher Education Commission's (Ohec) secretary-general Arporn Kaenwong said the incident showed Thai students are still ignorant about many key events in world history. This was not the first time an incident like this had occurred at a Thai school.

In 2013, Chulalongkorn University students came under fire after photos emerged of them giving the Nazi salute in front of a mural of Adolf Hitler.

In 2011, Sacred Heart Preparatory School students in Chiang Mai paraded on their sports day as Nazi SS guards with swastika armbands.

"This is not a joke. These [Nazi] symbols point to one of the worst massacres in world history," Ms Arporn said.

Ms Arporn said the incident underlined that educational institutions in Thailand need to teach children more about world events like the Holocaust and other crimes against humanity to avoid such disrespectful displays.

"Although Thailand has no direct historical connection with the genocide perpetrated against the Jewish people, learning about world history can engage students in critical reflection about the shared heritage of humanity, the necessity to nurture peace and human rights to prevent such atrocities in the future," she said.

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