Israeli Tourism to Pai Plummets Amid False Rumours

[Greenhill]

8 hours ago, Packer said:

If only they'd stay out of Palestine too. 🙂 

I would say - if only the Palestinians would stay out of Israel!!!

[it is what it is]

13 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Got a friend who lives in Lopburi who had land up their to build a place for retirement.

After recent visits they've decided to sell the land.

They say the place is ruined, not just by tourists but profit seeking greedy locals.

 

why are they complaining, if they had any sense they'd sell to a 'greedy local' and pocket a nice profit.

[hotsun]

Thailand got what it wished for. Discriminatory signs leading to the eventual cessation of tourists and a collapse of its economy

[Luuk Chaai]

13 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

A few have posted on this thread that they don’t want to go to a place full of Israeli tourists.

Tourists from other countries are probably avoiding Pai now because of its reputation of having a lot of Israeli tourists. 
So if they are annoying the locals and other tourists that can not be good for Pai. 

Sounds like ..The Russians in Phuket .   The Chinese in Pattaya

[Social Media]

Please refer to rule 15. Posts from the usual suspects contravening this rule will be 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.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, it is what it is said:

 

why are they complaining, if they had any sense they'd sell to a 'greedy local' and pocket a nice profit.

They are not complaining, they are merely saying, what was once an unspoiled idyllic location has now been turned into yet another Thai playground in the name of tourism to prop up an otherwise failing GDP

[0815]

Your BS starts with a photo that shows a place a hundred kilometers far from Pai and continues with your story !

[ChaiyaTH]

These people are really morons aren't they? The burning season has started and the high season for highest prices on like phangan ended. People always go to Pai during the winter and then all return back to south aside from high season in the north ending in general with tourists now.

 

So obviously you would see a plummet align with that news event then too. This has zero to do at all with those people or the news. The north in general is a joke in terms of what it was this high season, as well in general and how few expats and nomads are left, compared to anywhere else.

 

The latter is not even related to the burning season either, which has been better than it was in over a decade so far. Bangkok seems the same performing on average even, in terms of air quality, if not worse. CM, CR etc it's alll a dump, only gotten worse since covid.

 

You can see how the house of cards is easy to break already too, they now depend on specific niche tourists in quantity from specific countries. They chased all genuine travelers away over the years to focus on: chinese, indians, arabs, israeli, russians and ukranians.

 

Go to Vietnam and you will be surprised that all genuine ones that used to come here, that created the great vibes, are there now. It's like changing an artistic psytrance festival into EDM music only. Thailand is like the new Spain; for mainstream mass tourism.

[Jonathan Swift]

On 3/24/2025 at 9:22 AM, Tropicalevo said:

Be careful what you wish for you anti-Semitic 'concerned netizens'.

The media should bear some responsibility here as well.

Let me 'splain something. Get your dictionary out. Anti Israeli sentiments based on their behavior have nothing to do with anti semitism, and it's an insult to Jewish people everywhere for you and every other ignorant person to throw such a hateful term around willy nilly when it doesn't apply. Israeli is a nationality. Has nothing to do with whether someone practices Judaism, or is ethnically Jewish. Israeli is a nationality, not a race, not a religion, not an ethnic group. Anyone can become an Israeli citizen. Suppose you and your friends got drunk and made trouble all the time in some bar somewhere, so people from your country got banned. The only thing you could call that is prejudice, and it's prejudice based on behavior, with the only solution to controlling your bad behavior is to ban the lot of you. It's like punishing the whole classroom because one kid won't own up to his behavior. It's not anti catholic, anti Christian, anti Muslim, anti Buddhist, or anything of the sort. It is not based on hate or bigotry. It is based on bad behavior. I know this will be hard for you to wrap your mind around, being that this is no doubt one of your favorite imaginary causes (meaning your own complaining, I don't mean that anti semitism isn't a real problem) to bellow about, so feel free to take a few days off and maybe take a crash course in world history and the history of racism. I should mention that I come from a country where the ugliest forms of racism and religious persecution are common, and I know exactly what it is and what it isn't. But education is hard work, innit? Easier just to bellow nonsensically at the top of your lungs. But don't kid yourself, your nonsense is not seen as anything BUT nonsense. Enjoy your bellowing. 

[Woke to Sounds]

Who cares?

 

Pai's a shxthole anyhow, nothing like it was 10-15 years ago.

[Jonathan Swift]

Why do I think that most merchants will not miss the Israelis? Nature abhors a vacuum. Seems obvious that without a group of troublemakers ruining things for others you will get an influx of more of the better quality tourists in their place. Relatively speaking, but better a bunch of deadbeat begpacker barefoot hippies who at least know how to behave. 

[Captor]

On 3/24/2025 at 3:17 AM, webfact said:

Pai. File photo.

 

In northwestern Thailand's tranquil Pai, unsettling rumours have led to a notable dip in Israeli tourism, stirring palpable concerns in the local industry. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich temple heritage, Pai, nestled in Mae Hong Son province, relies heavily on visitors for economic sustenance. However, misinformation regarding a significant influx of Israelis has overshadowed this picturesque town.

 

In February, social media rumours falsely claimed that 30,000 Israelis were establishing a new "promised land" in Pai, fleeing ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

 

The Thai government quickly quashed these reports, clarifying that the 30,000 figure encompassed Israeli visitors throughout the entire year, not new residents.

 

Tourism, a vital pillar supporting roughly 20% of Thailand's GDP, is yet again meeting a hurdle with these persistent rumours. As Thailand seeks economic recovery post-pandemic, the threat to tourist numbers poses genuine concerns.

 

Consequently, apprehension among potential Israeli visitors, fearing negative local reactions, has affected both hotel and shop revenues.

 

 

 

A hotel staff member noted a 50% decrease in Israeli guests in February compared to the previous year. Similarly, a tea vendor reported a daily sale decline from 3,000 baht (£69) to merely 500 baht (£11). With an estimated 80% to 90% of Pai’s residents involved in tourism, the downturn is palpable.

 

Interestingly, despite the current turbulence, British tourists still represent a larger contingent in Pai than Israelis. However, the smear campaign's focus on Israelis appears tied to broader geopolitical tensions, as Israel grapples with its ongoing conflict.

 

The misinformation is seen as an offshoot of these dynamics, not least because of a February incident where four Israelis vandalised a local hospital, leading to their subsequent deportation.

 

Thailand's relationship with Israel is nuanced, steeped in economic exchanges, especially in labour. In 2022, Thais comprised over 20% of Israel's foreign workforce.

 

Moreover, the tragic events of 7 October 2023, when Hamas's assault resulted in Thai worker casualties and hostages, have intensified Thai-Israeli interest and concern. Yet, unlike some Muslim-majority neighbours, Thailand maintains a moderate stance toward Israel.

 

Despite the current unease, Pai remains a town founded on hospitality. Local leaders reaffirm their welcoming stance toward visitors of all nationalities and distances themselves from the rumour-mongering. “We hold no animosity toward Israeli guests,” a local representative asserted, encouraging potential visitors not to be dissuaded by baseless claims, reported Nikkei Asia.

 

-- 2025-03-24

 

 

That is something to take into consideration before deciding about taxation on expats. Same might happen there... But then it will be big scale.

[geisha]

On 3/24/2025 at 9:31 AM, pomchop said:

Longtime Pai locals likely got along just fine before any tourists to speak of ever showed up...i would bet they will also get along just fine if the tourist and the thais who showed up to hustle tourists all disappear as well. 

 

More people does not always equate with happier locals.  Ask the folks in Barcelona and Venice who liked the money until it became not worth the cost.

That’s how beautiful little villages by the sea or not started out. It’s everywhere in the world. London, Rome, Barcelona , Bangkok, tiny little Sitges, Pattaya and Phuket. They were all wonderful places to visit, no crowds and decent prices. This is where greed steps in and ruins it all. Land is bought up by big hotel chains, hardworking people can’t afford a studio to live in anymore because of hotels and Airbnb. Result, all these beautiful places are now ruined. We are suffocating from tourist pollution !