Report Israeli Tourist Sparks Outrage Over Shoe Rule Dispute in Thailand

[aBigSmile]

"The video, now widely circulated online, begins with the woman asserting that Israeli tourists play a crucial role in bolstering Thailand's economy. Instead of following the simple request, she suggested that their contribution to tourism should exempt her from such local customs."

Inflammatory BS. I read Hebrew and I can share she didn't write her contribution to tourism should exempt her from such local customs, rather that her foot was injured and that was the reason she refused to take off her shoes to which she got a permission for the owner. Whether true or false, it beyond my knowledge. 

[Cabradelmar]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  How much was the flight to the alternative reality ?

Did your flight land in a rabbit hole ?

Weak. You got nothing. Only an ad hominem argument. Everything I said is factual and defensible. Prove me wrong. If you dare.

 

West refers to Europe and those countries settled by Europeans (modern day Israel included).

 

Not only does Israel lives on political, military, economic and moral support from the West, Israel is Western in its self and international image (certainly not Arab or Muslim). It is also considered Western in social science writings. 

 

The jew tourist in the article is as western as the next  #privilege 

[newbee2022]

2 hours ago, alfredwilliams said:

I remeber the days when visitors to germany had to comply to certain rules

? What rules ??😳

[damo1967]

6 hours ago, it is what it is said:

 

Targeted for being Jewish/Israeli . - any evidence to support this?

Most probably instigated and filmed by an enemy . - any evidence to support this?

Thais are usually non plussed about shoes being worn or removed - obviously you either don;t live in thailand, and/or are totally ignorant of thai culture/customs

She also states that the restaurant owner was OK with shoes being worn .

Its quite likely that she was responding to some unsavory abuse unrelated to the shoe issue . - any evidence to support this?

   An example of what Israelis have to deal with and  a reason why they aren't always friendly to non Israelis - what goes around, comes around, my friend.

100% spot on... sick of entitled Israeli's.. they are amongst the top-3 hated nations in Thailand.

 

Ban this lady.. 5 years would be good.  10 years great.. life-time ban a dream come true.

[condo62]

Maybe she could get an shoe exemption letter from Netanyahu 😳

Put her money her shoes and her on a plane back to Israel.

[mania]

7 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Targeted for being Jewish/Israeli .

The JDL has no limit to how far they will stoop ........ Give it a break & wake up to some simple facts....Some people EVEN Israeli's have no manners nor common sense. Surely you have heard the term Ugly American? Well this is an Ugly Israeli period so put your antisemitic cards away they don't play here 😉 

[LarryLEB]

 

Self-entitled, stupid cow.

[emptypockets]

1 hour ago, Road Warrior said:

As they say when in Rome _______

Slaughter Christians?

[terryofcrete]

4 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Do you think Israelis are just picked on for no reason?

This chick was just minding her business and these people verbally attacked her?

They will be soon .

[wensiensheng]

7 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Targeted for being Jewish/Israeli .

Most probably instigated and filmed by an enemy .

Thais are usually non plussed about shoes being worn or removed

She also states that the restaurant owner was OK with shoes being worn .

Its quite likely that she was responding to some unsavory abuse unrelated to the shoe issue .

   An example of what Israelis have to deal with and  a reason why they aren't always friendly to non Israelis 

In some respects the article is misleading in that it focuses on the nationality of the foreigner involved. In actual fact, her nationality is irrelevant, being polite is being polite. And in Thailand that often means taking off your shoes.

 

so the majority of your comments are also irrelevant. Be she English, American or any other nationality, she should have done as requested, or gone somewhere else.

[terryofcrete]

4 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Do you think Israelis are just picked on for no reason?

This chick was just minding her business and these people verbally attacked her?

They will be soon.

[GregKeo]

7 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Targeted for being Jewish/Israeli .

Most probably instigated and filmed by an enemy .

Thais are usually non plussed about shoes being worn or removed

She also states that the restaurant owner was OK with shoes being worn .

Its quite likely that she was responding to some unsavory abuse unrelated to the shoe issue .

   An example of what Israelis have to deal with and  a reason why they aren't always friendly to non Israelis 

Oh look, an entitled chosen one dreaming up excuses for the disrespectful and arrogant behaviour of another chosen one. Surprising indeed.

[spidermike007]

The shoes were not really a big deal, this is not what I would call a cultural taboo. I've been in so many places where the floor was absolutely filthy and when I'm asked to remove my shoes I simply say no problem, after you mop the floor! They  then just give me this funny look.

 

This is more about her silly level of nationalism, and her insults to the locals. That is disturbing. 

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, GregKeo said:

Oh look, an entitled chosen one dreaming up excuses for the disrespectful and arrogant behaviour of another chosen one. Surprising indeed.

Chosen one used as a slur. So predictable. 

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The shoes were not really a big deal, this is not what I would call a cultural taboo. I've been in so many places where the floor was absolutely filthy and when I'm asked to remove my shoes I simply say no problem, after you mop the floor! They  then just give me this funny look.

 

This is more about her silly level of nationalism, and her insults to the locals. That is disturbing. 

Yeah she was definitely very obnoxious in that clip.

[Jingthing]

47 minutes ago, steven.g said:

Typical Israeli, always the victim

A very stupid comment. Israelis refuse to be victims. Been there  Done that.

[safarimike11]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

 

An Israeli tourist's refusal to adhere to a "shoes off" rule in a Koh Pha Ngan café has stirred a social media storm, highlighting growing tensions surrounding tourist behaviour in Thailand. The incident, captured on a 15-second video shared by the Koh Pha Ngan Conscious Community Facebook page, shows the tourist engaging in a verbal altercation with café staff after being asked to remove her footwear before entering.

 

The video, now widely circulated online, begins with the woman asserting that Israeli tourists play a crucial role in bolstering Thailand's economy. Instead of following the simple request, she suggested that their contribution to tourism should exempt her from such local customs. This disregard for the cultural norm of removing shoes—a common practice meant to maintain cleanliness and show respect—sparked immediate backlash.

 

Viewers, both Thai and international, quickly condemned the behaviour as entitled and disrespectful. The incident fuelled existing frustrations, as Israeli tourists have recently been at the centre of several similar controversies throughout Thailand, with locals calling for more respect from their international guests.

 

After the footage went viral, the tourist released a statement attempting to explain her actions. In a defensive narrative, she argued that her comments were misinterpreted. Her statement read, "I was trying to emphasise how much Israelis contribute to the Thai economy, not to belittle the culture." She added that she had received verbal and physical aggression from others at the café and stressed that her footwear was kept on only because of foot pain.

 

She also claimed that the person who filmed the encounter was another customer, not a staff member, and maintained that she had initially been given permission to keep her shoes on by the café personnel. The tourist further accused those who recorded the disagreement of distorting the situation and omitting the context of her alleged mistreatment.

 

Despite her explanation, the apology has largely fallen on deaf ears. Critics argue that her attempt to shift blame and context only exacerbates negative perceptions of Israeli tourists, who have been criticised for frequent disruptive behaviour in the region.

 

The incident has ignited broader discussions on social media about the need for tourists to respect local customs and the potential long-term impact such disputes could have on Thailand's tourism industry. As tension mounts, many wonder what measures can be implemented to foster mutual respect and understanding between local communities and their international visitors.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-06

 

 

"The video, now widely circulated online, begins with the woman asserting that Israeli tourists play a crucial role in bolstering Thailand's economy."

(This reminds me of the YouTube video of the U.S. Traffic cop who pulled over a Karen for texting while driving - when she said something like: "I pay your wages", at which the cop said: "Okay, we're done".) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl_if3NzoC0&ab_channel=AugustTheDuck

 

[BerndD]

"My money builds your country".

No, not true.

True: My money destroys Gaza!

[Jingthing]

2 hours ago, BerndD said:

"My money builds your country".

No, not true.

True: My money destroys Gaza!

With a little help from Hamas and Iran.

[BangkokHank]

I refuse to take off my shoes as a condition of entering a shop in Thailand. But I don't try to enter the shop. I just go to a shop that doesn't require me to remove my shoes.

[rumeaug]

She's hot, but she's an arrogant A**hole.

[harryviking]

😆Just remember, when a country invites and receive 10s of millions of tourists every year, they will get them on a "stupidity scale" from 0 to 10! LOL! That is unavoidable. Any statistics over HOW MANY tourists behaves badly? I guess the nuber is small. Just handle those bad ones "firmly", make it expensive and return and ban them! A week in a Thai jail would QUICKLY be known among the dumbest as "do not f**k up in Thailand!!!😂

[SMIAI]

This incident is not isolated. Many here have highlighted that kind behaviour over the years. Not only in Thailand, but pretty much everywhere they go. Personal experience.

[CM Dad]

I have quite severe peripheral neuropathy and cannot walk on hard surfaces without wearing shoes.  As a result, I do not visit places  that require me to remove my shoes.  It has nothing to do with religion - I am Buddhist - it is a medical issue although not a visible one. 

[Sydebolle]

Given the hygiene standards of feet in this country (have a look at your foot soles) I opt for keeping my footwear on. 
Not knowing where this incident took place but I opted eating elsewhere in Chiang Mai when I was asked to remove my shoes prior to entering a garden coffee shop in open air. &nbsp

While I adhere with great pleasure to this local rule in residences I believe that public places, like a shop, restaurant, government office etc. should accommodate the jump into the 21st century - given the hygiene deterioration evident everywhere these days 😉 Just saying 8-) 

[Mark Nothing]

Having my good sandals stolen outside a shop requiring removal cured me of ever removing them again.  When a store requests shoe removal,  I just politely say "Can not".  If heartburn occurs I quietly leave for another venue.

 

The argumentative attitude of this woman is horrendous.

 

 

[Hummin]

9 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Targeted for being Jewish/Israeli .

Most probably instigated and filmed by an enemy .

Thais are usually non plussed about shoes being worn or removed

She also states that the restaurant owner was OK with shoes being worn .

Its quite likely that she was responding to some unsavory abuse unrelated to the shoe issue .

   An example of what Israelis have to deal with and  a reason why they aren't always friendly to non Israelis 

I have several times been reminded to take my shoes off, And I guess the difference was, I either followed instructions without hesitation, or left. 

 

Anyone who makes a scene and  stands out, risk going viral today.

 

Everyday we read about multiple nationalities in media doing stupid <deleted>. 

 

Seems it touch your nerves every time Israelis rightfully being exposed 

[Negita43]

Part of any foreign holiday is to experience the culture NOT to try to change it!

When in Rome........

And for those trolls who want to point out the person is in Thailand - "When in Rome do as the Romans do" is an old saying

[Negita43]

Just now, Mark Nothing said:

When a store requests shoe removal,  I just politely say "Can not".  If heartburn occurs I quietly leave for another venue.

 

Why can't you take them off put them in your bag (and have one especially for this) and take the bag in with you.

Alternatively, buy a chain and padlock!!!!

[JimGant]

8 hours ago, zakalwe said:

Stated by the rude entitled Israeli who I'm going to doubt here. Her behavior fits a pattern and she is just making excuses after she got caught.

Actually, she was just displaying a key reason for anti-semitism -- HUBRIS.