NIDA poll: Thais cite concerns over Israelis' conduct

A new NIDA Poll has found that many Thai respondents who had heard reports of, or experienced, alleged inappropriate or illegal behaviour by Israelis in Thailand said their main concern was a lack of respect for the law.

The survey, released on 13 September, also said the public wanted officials to enforce the law strictly and decisively. Its findings reflect respondents' perceptions based on news and personal experience, rather than verified findings against individuals.

The National Institute of Development Administration's NIDA Poll surveyed Thai citizens aged 18 and above who are eligible to vote between 8 and 10 September 2026. It covered Bangkok and the provinces of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Surat Thani, Phuket and Mae Hong Son.

Most respondents had seen media reports

Of those surveyed, 76.38% said they had heard reports through media including mainstream outlets and social media about alleged inappropriate behaviour or illegal acts by Israelis in Thailand.

A further 17.45% said they had neither heard any reports nor had direct experience. Some 5.11% said they had experienced such behaviour themselves, while 4.33% had heard accounts from someone with direct experience.

Another 3.48% had been told about it by people without direct experience.

Law and cultural concerns ranked highest

When asked about dissatisfaction arising from reports or direct experiences, 71.22% cited a perceived lack of respect for Thai law.

Respondents also raised concerns about rude speech or behaviour seen as looking down on Thai people, cited by 46.39%, and a lack of respect for Thai culture, at 45.96%. Some 40.03% referred to a lack of respect for community ways of life, while 36.43% cited a lack of respect for private and public space.

Other concerns included using Thai nominees to hold land, at 31.44%, and using nominees to hold businesses, at 29.04%. Such arrangements can carry legal consequences in Thailand, and the rules apply to foreign nationals generally, not only Israelis.

Visa, work and business issues also raised

Some 20.02% of respondents pointed to behaviour that could cause racial, ethnic or religious conflict. A further 19.93% objected to the establishment of Israeli cemeteries in Thailand without consultation with local people, while 18.47% cited the expansion of Israeli communities in particular areas.

Visa overstays were mentioned by 16.41%. Concerns about foreigners doing business or taking jobs reserved for Thais were cited by 10.48%, while 9.54% referred to work not matching a work permit and 9.36% to so-called zero-dollar businesses.

Only 2.41% said they were not dissatisfied by any of the issues listed, while 1.98% said they were unsure whether the reports they had heard were true.

Picture courtesy of NIDA Poll

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14 September 2026