Around 200 to 300 Phuket residents gathered at Loma Park on Patong Beach on Friday, 28 August, calling on the government to restrict Israeli tourists to a maximum stay of 15 days.
The demand was made at a forum titled "Save Phuket, Save Patong, Respect Thai Law", where attendees raised concerns about the conduct of some foreign visitors and alleged illegal business activity. The event was closely monitored by uniformed and plainclothes police.
Tourism operators, hotel owners, tuk-tuk drivers, tour guides and local residents attended the meeting, organised by the Phuket Land Protection Group.
Calls for tighter screening
Participants said Phuket should more carefully screen arriving visitors and focus on what they described as high-quality tourist groups. They proposed stricter visa rules, including a 15-day limit for Israeli tourists, to ensure visitors are coming for holidays rather than to operate illegal businesses or take jobs from Thai people.
One tourism operator told the forum that three flights a week bring Israeli visitors to Phuket, each carrying 200 to 300 passengers. According to the speaker, at least 1,000 Israelis arrive each week, with many staying for at least 15 days or more per trip.
The operator acknowledged that Israelis are high-spending tourists, but said residents wanted visitors who holiday in Phuket and then leave rather than remaining for what they considered excessively long periods and competing for local work.
Attendees also complained about what they termed low-quality tourism, saying some visitors use cheap accommodation, buy food from convenience stores and behave arrogantly or disregard the law.
They further argued that a large Israeli presence could discourage European tourists from travelling to Phuket.
Petition handed to Phuket MP
Chalermpong Saendee, the People's Party MP for Phuket Constituency 2, received a petition from the Phuket Land Protection Group after listening to the views raised at the forum.
He said Phuket was a world-class destination drawing visitors from around the globe each year, and that tourism creates income and economic opportunities for the island province.
However, Chalermpong said problems needed to be addressed where people entered Thailand without respecting Thai law. He also referred to investment groups that had entered the market by taking advantage of local businesses, leaving Phuket SMEs and small entrepreneurs facing unfair competition.
Picture courtesy of TNR
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30 August 2026
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