HIS video may have provoked fiery responses from Netizens, but Mr Bo Davis, one of the British tourists who filmed and posted the video of the Singapore trishaw rider, believes the incident's magnitude has to do with nationality.

He said: 'If it were three Asian guys and not three white guys. Would it have got the same reaction?'

Netizens said yes.

Blogger Darryl Kang, 27, said: 'I think that these are just black sheep. I don't think we should generalise racial groups here. It's not about race - it's their actions that have angered me.'

Ms Jennifer Khong, 26, added: 'The problem is their character. Nationality is beside the point. It's cruel of them to treat (the trishaw rider) that way. The fact that they put the video on YouTube makes it even worse.

'You don't put the video on the Internet if you think you've done something bad - it shows they don't even understand what they have done wrong.'

The trishaw rider may have brushed aside the incident as bad luck, but emotions are erupting online.

At last count, more than 400 comments had been posted on YouTube.

One user, addressing the tourists, wrote: 'You'd better find your way back here and apologise to that poor old man.

'If you don't do that before that old man dies, I hope u will live with guilt for the rest of your life. This goes for those friends of yours as well.'

Mr Kang added: 'Three people squeezed into a trishaw meant for two, made fun of the uncle and refused to pay up after that. On top of that, they posted the video clip on YouTube. If this isn't bullying, then what is?'

Agreeing, Ms Khong said she clicked on the video because she recognised the trishaw rider from the time she used to work at the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts building.

She said: 'It was upsetting to see it because he is reliant on his job for a living and he has to put up with that kind of behaviour.'