PHUKET – Senior Israeli security officials met Thai police leaders in Phuket on Sunday to discuss restrictions at Chabad centres that deny access to Thai authorities, and rising reports of Israeli visitors pissing off Thai people and disrespecting Thai culture.
Avi Bitton, Senior Advisor to the Israeli National Security Council, headed a delegation of Israeli security staff based in Thailand, embassy officials, and Chabad security leaders at the Regional Police Bureau 8 headquarters for a one-hour meeting in Phuket.
The Israeli group met Pol. Lt. Gen. Jarut Srutayaporn, Deputy Commander of Police Region 8, Pol. Lt. Gen. Suwat Suksri, Surat Thani Provincial Police Commissioner, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum, Phuket Provincial Police Commissioner.
Talks centred on access controls at six Chabad centres in Thailand, located in Pai (Mae Hong Son), Koh Samui and Koh Phangan (Surat Thani), and Phuket’s Kathu and Chalong districts. The sites currently block entry to non-Israelis, including Thai law enforcement.
Chabad security representatives cited safety risks linked to regional conflict as the basis for the restrictions. Each centre employs its own security teams who limit outside contact with visitors and staff.
Israeli officials agreed to work with Thai police to allow routine checks at the centres. The meeting also covered recent reports of unlawful behaviour by Israeli tourists, including breaches of Thai law and unlicensed business activity.
“Beyond protecting safety and religious freedom for Israeli visitors, we addressed inappropriate behaviour and legal violations directly,” said Pol. Lt. Gen. Suwat. “Chabad security leaders will consult with rabbis to remind visitors about Thai laws and respectful conduct.”
On enforcement, Pol. Lt. Gen. Suwat was blunt. “The Israeli security team confirmed we should move ahead with legal action immediately, with no exceptions for any violations.” He expressed confidence that the talks would help reduce problematic conduct by Israeli tourists in Thailand.
Israeli Visitors Behaving Badly in Thailand
Reports in 2024 and 2025 describe cases of disruptive, disrespectful, or illegal behaviour by some Israeli tourists in Thailand, especially in Pai, Koh Phangan, Phuket, and Koh Samui.
Local backlash has followed in some areas, including “No Israelis” signs at businesses, tighter enforcement by Thai officials, deportations, and viral clips of confrontations.
The trend is linked to a record influx of Israeli visitors, over 280,000 in 2024, many after military service or seeking a break from domestic tensions. A small share of incidents has affected perceptions of the wider group. Thai officials and the Israeli embassy have issued reminders to respect local customs.
Most Israeli travellers behave well and support the economy, ranking second by visitor numbers in Pai in 2024 with 31,735 arrivals. High-profile cases have still driven resentment. Thailand is known for its hospitality and calm, yet locals have stepped in when situations escalated. Below is a summary of key incidents drawn from news reports and social media.
Key Incidents
| Date | Location | Description | Outcome | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2025 | Pai Hospital, Mae Hong Son Province | Four Israeli men vandalized the emergency room after being denied immediate treatment, abused the staff, and issued threats. | Fined, visas revoked, deported. Triggered wider scrutiny and “No Israel Here” signs at some businesses. | |
| February 2025 | Pai, Mae Hong Son Province | Multiple reports of unpaid bills at eateries, public urination, motorbike crashes, theft, and public nuisance. Thirteen Israelis were charged in total. | Deportations. The Israeli embassy issued guidance urging respect for laws and customs. The Thai PM’s office visited to calm tensions. | |
| April 2025 | Phuket or Ko Samui | A 36-year-old Israeli tourist sexually assaulted a Finnish woman at a beach bar, then was arrested while trying to flee via Phuket Airport. In a separate viral clip, Israelis harassed women, used racist slurs, and assaulted locals. | Arrest for assault. In the harassment case, intervening locals, including transgender women, subdued the offenders. Videos drew millions of views. | |
| April 2025 | Unspecified, general response | Thai authorities created an AI chatbot to teach unruly Israeli tourists basic etiquette after repeated complaints about violence and disruption. | Preventive step, not tied to specific arrests. | |
| May 2025 | Koh Phangan | Israeli tourist Kesem Cohen refused to remove his shoes at a café, argued, and said, “My money built your country.” The video went viral. | Public backlash. Cohen apologized, said the context was twisted, and claimed bystanders assaulted him. No formal charges. | |
| September 2025 | Bangkok, taxi | An Israeli passenger defecated in a taxi, left waste on the seat, and haggled over cleaning costs, bringing in police. | Police intervened. Outcome unclear. The clip was widely shared. | |
| October 2025 | Koh Phangan | Immigration blitz. Israelis, along with Germans and French nationals, were arrested for visa overstays and illegal businesses, such as unlicensed hotels, shops, and gift kiosks. Separately, an Israeli stole a temple donation envelope. Noisy parties and drug use reported. | Arrests and concern among expats. One deportation for theft. Calls for passport bans surfaced. | |
| October 2025, ongoing | Various locations, including Phuket | Viral posts by Thai residents alleged counterfeiting of USD, theft from temples, and loud parties. Complaints included cliquey behaviour, speaking only Hebrew, and acting with entitlement. | Online outrage. Some businesses refused service. One expat said Thais rarely fight back, and that this is not normal. |
Broader Context and Reactions
- Local impact: Pai recorded a rise of over 270 percent in Israeli visitors in early 2025, up from 817 in February 2024 to 3,034 in February 2025. The small town felt stretched. Some Thais reported feeling crowded out, with Hebrew common in daily exchanges. Anti-Israel graffiti and boycotts appeared in places, though officials denied systematic bias.
- Israeli response: Ambassador Orna Sagiv visited Pai in February 2025, apologized, and said a few bad incidents should not overshadow the many respectful visitors. Embassy advice stressed, “Travel with dignity.”
- Global echo: Clips of fights in Phuket and elsewhere reached millions of views, often tagged “FAFO.” Some posts linked tensions to wider geopolitics, although most focused on cultural friction. Expats remarked that Thais are patient, but step in when pushed.
- Not unique: Other nationalities draw complaints as well, including Indians and Russians, although the volume tied to Israelis stands out due to numbers and visibility.
Thailand values tourism, and Israelis spend heavily, so ties remain friendly overall. These cases still carry risks if left unchecked. Planning a trip to Thailand, or advising someone who is, consider the basics. Remove shoes when asked, lower late-night noise, and follow the law. For further reading, check Thai outlets such as Bangkok Post or Nation Thailand.
