File photo courtesy: Thai PBS

 

In light of recent incidents, the Embassy of Israel in Thailand has taken steps to ensure that Israeli citizens visiting the country maintain respectful behaviour and uphold a favourable image. This comes after dissatisfaction was expressed over the actions of some Israelis in the tourist hotspot of Pai, located in Mae Hong Son province.

 

The embassy used its official Facebook page to disseminate guidance on appropriate behaviour for Israeli visitors in Thailand. This move is partially in response to local concerns about the activities of Israelis in Pai, especially regarding the establishment of a Jewish synagogue, which stirred worries about potential overreach.

 

Authorities have clarified that the chabad, a centre for religious and community gatherings, meets all legal requirements and that the visiting Israelis were lawful tourists.

 

The embassy counselled its citizens to align with Thai customs and legal standards, highlighting the importance of retaining a positive international image and fostering amiable relations.

 

Recommendations include curbing loud behaviour in shared spaces, respecting private property, adhering to traffic rules, observing visa limitations, dressing suitably, and negotiating courteously in markets.

 

The issuance of these guidelines follows reports of deportations involving several Israelis due to breaches of local laws.

Highlighting the generally warm reception Israeli nationals receive in Thailand, the embassy stressed the importance of preserving goodwill and mutual respect between the two countries.

 

A recent event at the chabad centre saw some 200 to 300 Israelis gather for religious observance and communal meals, during which immigration police found no laws were violated.

 

However, other incidents have tainted local perceptions, notably an episode where four Israeli men reportedly vandalised a Pai Hospital emergency room during an attempt to visit an injured compatriot after a motorcycle accident.

 

Public reactions on social media varied, with some users defending the presence and activities of Israelis in Thailand.

 

A commenter named Wasu Yok Koysiripong remarked that the response to the chabad centre seemed overblown, arguing that hosting numerous visitors doesn’t equate to domination. Meanwhile, Hila Raviv Gozlan suggested that chabad houses should actively share behavioural guidelines with their guests to encourage adherence.

 

The embassy’s proactive approach seeks to mitigate tension and ensure that Israeli visitors enjoy their stay in Thailand while respecting local norms and regulations, reported Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-02-24

 

 

Israelis even can't behave in their own country...

Embassy of Israel

is  Just fanning the flames. 

 

57 minutes ago, quake said:

Embassy of Israel

is  Just fanning the flames. 

 

I don't know about that but I wouldn't see the harm if they handed younger ones a guidelines pamphlet before boarding their flights here. All of us of all nationalities are mini ambassadors while abroad. Adequate behavior is not noticed but bad behavior is greatly magnified.

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I don't know about that but I wouldn't see the harm if they handed younger ones a guidelines pamphlet before boarding their flights here. All of us of all nationalities are mini ambassadors while abroad. Adequate behavior is not noticed but bad behavior is greatly magnified.

Who pays for the pamphlet?

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I don't know about that but I wouldn't see the harm if they handed younger ones a guidelines pamphlet before boarding their flights here. All of us of all nationalities are mini ambassadors while abroad. Adequate behavior is not noticed but bad behavior is greatly magnified.

While I agree in sentiment, people that behave poorly are not going to be convinced not by a pamphlet.

 

"Recommendations include curbing loud behaviour in shared spaces, respecting private property, adhering to traffic rules, observing visa limitations, dressing suitably, and negotiating courteously in markets."

 

I'm a bit out of the loop, but are Israeli/Jewish tourist generally known to behave poorly? 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

While I agree in sentiment, people that behave poorly are not going to be convinced not by a pamphlet.

 

"Recommendations include curbing loud behaviour in shared spaces, respecting private property, adhering to traffic rules, observing visa limitations, dressing suitably, and negotiating courteously in markets."

 

I'm a bit out of the loop, but are Israeli/Jewish tourist generally known to behave poorly? 

 

 

In Phuket it's Russians, Brits and Aussies causing trouble on the streets. Chinese and Korean crime gangs run scams from Pattaya. Indians get into arguments with locals.

 

Israelis stick to thenselves mostly.

 

 

It appears smoking marijuana in public is one of the problems, exposing children and others to the marijuana fumes. 
There is still a lot of people opposed to marijuana being legal and this gives them something to complain about.

i hope these Israelis don’t ruin it for everyone.

 

https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/citynews/general/pai-police-step-up-law-and-ordering-citing-disruptive-israeli-tourists/

Just now, MalcolmB said:

It appears smoking marijuana in public is one of the problems, exposing children and others to the marijuana fumes. 
There is still a lot of people opposed to marijuana being legal and this gives them something to complain about.

i hope these Israelis don’t ruin it for everyone.

 

https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/citynews/general/pai-police-step-up-law-and-ordering-citing-disruptive-israeli-tourists/

Ruin what for everyone? 

27 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I don't know about that but I wouldn't see the harm if they handed younger ones a guidelines pamphlet before boarding their flights here. All of us of all nationalities are mini ambassadors while abroad. Adequate behavior is not noticed but bad behavior is greatly magnified.

 

Well it's all just a storm in a couple of tea cups

But the continuous press coverage just keeps the momentum going.

We don't see the British embassy  ( do we still have one )   getting involved when a few brits act out.

or the Indian or embassies from the middle east.

I think the Israeli embassy,  are idiots to keep it all going.

people need to stop talking about it and move on.

Including the Thai authorities.

you can't have mass tourism and not expect a bit of trouble to come with it.

They all need to grow up. 

 

 

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

In Phuket it's Russians, Brits and Aussies causing trouble on the streets. Chinese and Korean crime gangs run scams from Pattaya. Indians get into arguments with locals.

 

Israelis stick to thenselves mostly.

 

 

I haven’t seen any Thais banning and putting up “No Brits” signs anywhere in Thailand.

 

 

2 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I haven’t seen any Thais banning and putting up “No Brits” signs anywhere in Thailand.

 

 

They don't know a Brit from an American.

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Ruin what for everyone? 

Pai perhaps. 

13 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

They don't know a Brit from an American.

 

I think audibly,  most can tell the difference. 

 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, quake said:

 

I think audibly,  most can tell the difference. 

Nope. You are farang. Most Thais can barely speak English. Tell them Trump is moving to UK to become pm next year they will believe you.

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Nope. You are farang. Most Thais can barely speak English. Tell them Trump is moving to UK to become pm next year they will believe you.

 

Oops,  did I  touch a nerve. 

13 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Ruin what for everyone? 

The thousands of businesses producing and selling this now legal product around Thailand and their families.

The millions of Thais and millions of tourists who now can have a puff without having to pay off corrupt police.

And the tens of thousands of cancer patients etc that benefit from marijuana.

2 minutes ago, quake said:

 

Oops,  did I  touch a nerve. 

I'm not Thai 

5 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

The thousands of businesses producing and selling this now legal product around Thailand and their families.

The millions of Thais and millions of tourists who now can have a puff without having to pay off corrupt police.

And the tens of thousands of cancer patients etc that benefit from marijuana.

So going brain dead is good?

7 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

The thousands of businesses producing and selling this now legal product around Thailand and their families.

The millions of Thais and millions of tourists who now can have a puff without having to pay off corrupt police.

And the tens of thousands of cancer patients etc that benefit from marijuana.

Oh, the cancer patients. I think things have already been ruined for them. 

 

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

So going brain dead is good?

Sorry to hear that it affected you that way.

Just now, MalcolmB said:

They have seriously annoyed the Thai people.  A Thai Facebook group discussing  the situation has over 11,500 posts and the overwhelming majority are negative towards the way the Israelis conduct themselves. 

Just search “Israelis in Pai” in Thai on FB and you will see for yourself.

 

The police have cracked down up their, the Prime Minister is involved and Deputy PM Anutin is flying up there this week to sort them out.

 

The problem is if Anutin brings in some new rules and compliance to control them we will likely all be affected.

How do Thais know they are Israelis? 

1 minute ago, MalcolmB said:

They have seriously annoyed the Thai people.  A Thai Facebook group discussing  the situation has over 11,500 posts and the overwhelming majority are negative towards the way the Israelis conduct themselves. 

Just search “Israelis in Pai” in Thai on FB and you will see for yourself.

 

The police have cracked down up their, the Prime Minister is involved and Deputy PM Anutin is flying up there this week to sort them out.

 

The problem is if Anutin brings in some new rules and compliance to control them we will likely all be affected.

 

Did you miss the bit in my post that said.

( people need to stop talking about it ).

 

Good day.

 

1 minute ago, MalcolmB said:

Sorry to hear that it affected you that way.

I can see it did to you 

27 minutes ago, quake said:

We don't see the British embassy  ( do we still have one )   getting involved when a few brits act out.

Or the Thai PM or deputy PM Anutin.

The Thais call us Brits “The Land of the Gentlemen”

Long term pot smoker

 

 

2 minutes ago, mogandave said:

How do Thais know they are Israelis? 

Media told them.

1 minute ago, MalcolmB said:

Or the Thai PM or deputy PM Anutin.

The Thais call us Brits “The Land of the Gentlemen”

No they don't. You are farang. Thai women bash you up for not paying bar bills. 

42 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

While I agree in sentiment, people that behave poorly are not going to be convinced not by a pamphlet.

 

"Recommendations include curbing loud behaviour in shared spaces, respecting private property, adhering to traffic rules, observing visa limitations, dressing suitably, and negotiating courteously in markets."

 

I'm a bit out of the loop, but are Israeli/Jewish tourist generally known to behave poorly? 

 

 

I'm afraid there is some truth behind the perception that Israelis often behave badly when abroad. I remember seeing a group of young Israelis in a restaurant in Hampi, years back, one guy was reclining on his seat and had his legs put right up across the table, he was wearing no shoes and was displaying his very filthy feet to everyone. That would be shocking in any country. Such arrogance! Such total lack of respect for other people!

That's just one example, I have seen more.

 

I'm not anti-semitic one bit, btw. On the contrary.

@MalcolmB As expected you've now had two posts removed already for unverified claims.

 

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.