SWNS Ian Gerstgrasser and Tobias Gamper face jail after being caught tearing down the Thai flags

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Ian Gerstgrasser, 18, and Tobias Gamper, 22, were filmed laughing as they went on the a rampage outside a shop on holiday resort Krabi. They pulled down half-a-dozen red, white and blue flags then walked on them - sparking fury from deeply patriotic Thais still mourning the death of their king. Footage of the vandalism went viral with locals branding them ''disgusting foreigners'' for ''disrespecting the country they visit''.

SWNS The Italian men pulled down and walked on half-a-dozen flags

Cops tracked down the pair down - both from Italy - and they were forced to make a humiliating apology on camera.

They've shown a deliberate lack of respect of respect to the country. They are two animals Anake Saranath, local resident

The authorities 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.

SWNS The two young men have apologised for their drunk behaviour but still face punishment

''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.'' The owner of the shop where the flags were hanging, Wattana Saranart, 65, said he was ''disappointed at the men's insulting behavior''. Destroying the national flag in Thailand carries a jail term of up to two years and a fine of £80 (4,000THB).

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SWNS Many patriotic residents were angered by what happened