Thailand Presses Israeli Ambassador over Badly Behaved Tourists
Thailand said more than 277,000 Israelis visited in the first eight months of 2026 as it pressed for respect of local laws and customs.
- On Sept 8, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow held a 'frank discussion' with Israeli Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm about incidents involving Israeli nationals in Thailand.
- Israeli tourism has surged, with more than 277,000 visitors in the first eight months of 2026, though incidents in destinations like Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Phuket have fueled tensions.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered the deportation of two foreigners under stricter public order rules, including an Israeli national convicted of threatening a Thai zoo owner over a 'Free Palestine' banner.
- Starting Sept 15, Thailand will halve visa-free stays to 30 days; Sihasak stressed that visitors must 'respect Thai traditions, culture and local ways of life' regardless of nationality.
- Nationalist activist Sondhi Limthongkul scheduled a rally for Sept 10 outside the Israeli embassy in Bangkok, where his 'Take Back Thailand' campaign demands crackdowns on opaque foreign investment.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister summoned the Israeli ambassador over a series of incidents involving Israeli tourists.
The Thai authorities demanded that Israel ensure that tourists comply with local laws and traditions after a series of conflicts at the country's popular resorts. Thailand called on Israel to influence tourists through incidents in popular resort areas, Bloomberg reports. Thailand's head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeo, met with Israel's Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kam, discussing entrepreneurs using Thai nominal owners to c…
Thailand's FM summons Israeli ambassador over tourist behavior, calls for taking stronger actions
Following the meeting, the minister delivered a firm message, saying Thailand welcomes tourists, but that does not mean “tourists of any nationality can do whatever they want here.”
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