A popular YouTuber is ???? ???copping a lot of flak for a prank video he posted, where he appears to make fun of Thai people not being able to speak English.
The American YouTube star, Nate Bartling, lives in Thailand. In the video, shot from a distance, he goes up to people on the street and tries conversing in English.
SEE ALSO: Western tourists say Thailand's grief over fallen leader is raining on their paradeIn one segment, he asks two Thai men if they're having their period, to which they nod. "Yeah? Me too, me too," laughs Bartling.
And in another, he asks someone for a trash can, and she sheepishly shakes her head in incomprehension.
The Bangkok Postnotes that Bartling chose the street outside a famous tuition centre, where students prep for big exams.
The YouTuber, who speaks Thai, said in the video he wanted to demonstrate how English taught in Thailand doesn't focus on being conversant, but on written grammar.
The video, which has reached nearly 1 million views in three days, has drawn angry comments from Thais on the page, who feel humiliated to be the butt of the joke.
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Some have also claimed to have had their English responses edited out.
One Twitter user says her friend was told to act like she didn't understand the question, and was aware that the camera was rolling.
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Bartling explained in a follow-up comment on his video that it was not meant to humiliate individuals, but rather shed light on the education system.
He denied that the video was staged, but admitted that he cut out several people who understood and answered his questions in English.
One commenter offered some advice: "I get you mate, you're trying to help, but us Thais don't like to be told things bluntly. I myself am half British so I've had the luxury of being bilingual since childhood, so I know you're trying to do good, but try a different approach next time mate."
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