Picture of Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra courtesy of Amarin TV

 

Thailand's Prime Minister, Paethongtarn Shinawatra, has addressed and dismissed concerns over alleged Israeli control of the picturesque Pai district in Mae Hong Son. Responding to circulating rumours, Shinawatra, 38, stressed that the notion of an Israeli influx overtaking the area and restricting Thai access is unfounded.

 

In a bid to pacify growing anxiety and misinformation among Thai citizens, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will soon visit Pai to clarify the situation and address the rising numbers of Israeli nationals reportedly disturbing local peace.

 

Reports have recently emerged on social media detailing instances of disruptive behaviours by some Israeli visitors, resulting in the deportation of four individuals who caused a commotion at Pai Hospital. The hospital staff recounted incidents where the foreigners displayed obscene gestures, flouted hospital rules, and even attempted theft, leaving medical teams feeling unsafe.

 

 

In further actions, immigration officials deported another group for unlicensed work and bar operations in the area. Some local businesses reacted by restricting Israeli tourists, and concerns have been raised regarding the Chabad of Pai synagogue, a popular gathering place for Israelis, allegedly hosting loud, daily parties.

 

Now, all eyes are on Anutin’s upcoming assessment to bring closure and clarity to the Pai community, eagerly awaiting an official statement, reported The Thaiger.

 

 

-- 2025-02-18

 

 

In other Pai News, 3 “Bagels N’ Lox” have opened in the small rural city.

Good. Thailand doing their job.

41 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

that the notion of an Israeli influx overtaking the area and restricting Thai access is unfounded

It was always fake news anyway

Anutin Dismisses Israeli Pai Takeover Rumours

 

Picture courtesy: Naewna

 

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has addressed the swirling rumours concerning an alleged Israeli control over Pai district, citing them as unfounded and implausible. This pressing issue has drawn significant attention following social media claims of Israelis erecting barriers at a hotel-turned-synagogue, purportedly restricting entry to Thais in Mae Hong Son province.

 

Anutin stressed that legally, foreigners cannot exclude Thai citizens from accessible properties, like hotels or shops, unless they own the land privately. "If any signs have been put up forbidding Thais, they will be promptly removed," Anutin assured, echoing a sentiment of national sovereignty and public access rights. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has thus slated a visit to Pai next week to personally address and resolve the brewing tensions.

 

When queried about a possible link between these incidents and visa exemptions, Anutin dismissed any correlation, asserting that each policy carries specific timelines and conditions unrelated to such disputes.

 

The matter has not just raised local grievances but has also prompted action from higher authorities. National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet has commanded local law enforcement to sort out these allegations within a week. Pol. Lt. Col. Suwit Bunyaphen, the Tourist Police inspector at Mae Hong Son, elaborated on how social media exaggerations have amplified the situation.

 

Reports of 30,000 Israelis overwhelming the local populace are grossly misleading. Actual figures show these numbers reflect annual visits, with only about 83-84 Israeli tourists staying in Pai daily.

Importantly, the cultural vibrancy of Pai draws tourists worldwide, with UK nationals topping the list, succeeded by visitors from Israel, the US, and Germany. The synagogue in question hosts religious ceremonies primarily on Fridays and Saturdays, featuring a dining area accommodating 200 people.

 

Thailand, with seven synagogues dispersed from Bangkok to Phuket, hosts diverse religious practices. While these sanctuaries support cultural and spiritual gatherings, they are part and parcel of Thailand's multicultural fabric, standing by the laws and customs of the land.

 

As authorities swiftly investigate and clarify the situation, the focus remains on dispelling misinformation while fostering international community understanding within Thai borders. With these actions, Anutin and other officials hope to restore peace and mutual respect in this picturesque corner of northern Thailand, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2025-02-19

 

 

10 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

It was always fake news anyway

Yeah... Just like the russia mafia in pattaya and now in phuket... and the yakuza in pattaya.. and the chinese gangs.. all fake news as you said.... 

No but there’s definitely a russian takeover of Phuket 

3 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Yeah... Just like the russia mafia in pattaya and now in phuket... and the yakuza in pattaya.. and the chinese gangs.. all fake news as you said.... 

not fake news that thailand belongs to russia china and india. Theres barely any israelis in the country. They can discriminate them because they dont lose their business over it

22 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Yeah... Just like the russia mafia in pattaya and now in phuket... and the yakuza in pattaya.. and the chinese gangs.. all fake news as you said.... 

Nah I never mentioned anything about Russian mafia, or yakuza and certainly not Chinese gangs, that was you.

The problem with Pai is the locals milking it for all it's worth.

Unsustainable numbers but the money's good.

Same thing happened at Maya beach until they had to close it before it was totally destroyed.

No surprise with the problems with Israeli tourists. They do this in many countries, I saw it personally in Argentina already 20 years ago. Israeli think they are superior to local people, a pur racist thinking and behavior.

Jerking of knees !

Israelis might be a focal point right now because there are up to 3000 of them in the Pai area and they behave badly, but the real issue is over tourism. Thailand is rapidly approaching the level when visitors impinge on normal daily life. Phuket is already the most over touristed place on the planet and others like Pai are following. Many years ago a local in Pai said to me " we used to farm garlic, now we farm tourists" and this attitude has led to the current situation. Israelis are renowned for ignorant behaviour but are only the tip of the iceberg. A wholesale review of tourism policy is urgently needed.

so several weeks ago 4 Israeli acted inappropriately and very stupid in the hospital and now they’re worrying that the Israeli’s are gonna take over all of Pai ? lol tit

Is Anutin really the correct person to send to assure on a dispute like this where xenophobia is concerned i.e. the same Anutin that called all tourists "dirty" and accused them of spreading Covid?

55 minutes ago, AloisAmrein said:

No surprise with the problems with Israeli tourists. They do this in many countries, I saw it personally in Argentina already 20 years ago. Israeli think they are superior to local people, a pur racist thinking and behavior.

I saw that in India in a few places I visited just a few years ago, eg Rishikesh, Gokarna or Hampi. I met a nice Israeli mature couple in Orccha who brought the subject themselves, being embarrassed by the poor behaviour of their younger compatriots in India. They tried to explain it by "they had a tough time while in the army and now need to let their hair down". But I think there is also sthg true in what you're saying - they feel superior to others. Maybe it's more the case with poorly educated people, as also happens with of other nationalities?

2 hours ago, hotsun said:

No but there’s definitely a russian takeover of Phuket 

Don't worry, when Trump ends the war they can all go home---I bet

A couple of off topic and antisemitic slurs have been removed.

 

15. You will not discriminate or post slurs, degrading or overly negative comments on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability, medical history, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, paternity, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other irrelevant factor.

 

Please discuss the topic:

 

Thai PM Assures Locals: No Israeli Takeover in Pai District - video

 

 

Anti-semitism always rears its ugly head.

5 minutes ago, Felton Jarvis said:

Anti-semitism always rears its ugly head.

The Thais are not anti semetic.

They are just sick and tired of the way the Israelis behave.

Like the signs going up now “No Israelis” in Pai they have been going up in Thailand, especially the southern islands for decades.

 

It is not anti semitism.

Just now, MalcolmB said:

The Thais are not anti semetic.

They are just sick and tired of the way the Israelis behave.

Like the signs going up now “No Israelis” in Pai they have been going up in Thailand, especially the southern islands for decades.

 

It is not anti semitism.

I dont think hes referring to the thais. I think hes referring to the topic attracting antisemites to the thread, like you

In breaking news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to buy Pai and make it a province of Israel for "security" reasons. 

In a normal country the municipality could handle a small thing like this. But that´s only in a country where the PM knows what the position means.

Any Illegal Israeli establishments rampant in Pai?

 

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

In breaking news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to buy Pai and make it a province of Israel for "security" reasons. 

 

The Best Fake News in recent months LOL.

2 hours ago, hotsun said:

I dont think hes referring to the thais. I think hes referring to the topic attracting antisemites to the thread, like you

 

Media  uses Overly Sensational Headings all the time, just for more attention(since pre-internet ages).

Now days, it is called  SEO; search engine optimization=maximizing their chances to draw readers' interests.

Crappy tricks, taking advantage of human psychology, used over and over and over again.

4 hours ago, AloisAmrein said:

No surprise with the problems with Israeli tourists. They do this in many countries, I saw it personally in Argentina already 20 years ago. Israeli think they are superior to local people, a pur racist thinking and behavior.

Haha they tried to do it in New York many years ago.. Until the Italian mafia put them in their place. 

16 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

Media  uses Overly Sensational Headings all the time, just for more attention(since pre-internet ages).

Now days, it is called  SEO; search engine optimization=maximizing their chances to draw readers' interests.

Crappy tricks, taking advantage of human psychology, used over and over and over again.

Media uses AI now to help their stories get sensationalized. This way they get your attention with just a few words in the heading. Does not mean they are always factual either. Hinting something is not actually saying it. All bases covered that way to reduce drawback and critics. Then there is censorship that prevents critique from remaining in view of everyone else. Tis the sign of the times my friend. Be grateful we are not being charged money to read the news online... haha... 

8 minutes ago, chuang said:

No wonder the world hates Israel..

 

   Then why doesn't the World hate the U.K , because of British peoples  behaviour abroad ?

   

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

The Thais are not anti semetic.

They are just sick and tired of the way the Israelis behave.

Like the signs going up now “No Israelis” in Pai they have been going up in Thailand, especially the southern islands for decades.

 

It is not anti semitism.

 

    Come on Malcolm, get your 23 year old sign out and post it up again .

You've not posted it for a while .

The sign from 23 years ago that said no Israelis .

 

4 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

so several weeks ago 4 Israeli acted inappropriately and very stupid in the hospital and now they’re worrying that the Israeli’s are gonna take over all of Pai ? lol tit

 

   Stems from false reports of 30 000 Israelis living in Pai .

The reality is that up to 30 000 Israelis visited Pai in 2024

They didn't all go there to live