Thailand presses Israeli ambassador over badly behaved tourists
The Thai government has formally requested that Israel address the behavior of its citizens following a series of incidents involving tourists and business owners. Thailand is simultaneously tightening visa and deportation rules for all foreign visitors.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing diplomatic friction caused by tourism surges and the challenges nations face in balancing economic benefits with local social order.
BANGKOK: Thailand urged Israel to ensure its citizens respect local laws and customs after a series of incidents involving Israeli visitors fueled tensions in some of the South-East Asian nation’s most popular tourist destinations.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said he had a "frank discussion” with Israeli Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm on Tuesday (Sept 8) about concerns involving some Israeli nationals. They included entrepreneurs suspected of using Thai nominees to circumvent foreign-ownership restrictions, and tourists who have caused friction with local communities of Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Phuket.
"Thailand is a country that welcomes tourists, but at the same time, that doesn’t mean tourists, regardless of nationality, can do whatever they want,” Sihasak told reporters in Bangkok after the meeting. He said visitors should "respect Thai traditions, culture and local ways of life.”
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