Photo courtesy of Thai Newsroom

 

A journalist from Koh Phangan alleged via Facebook on October 7 that Israeli nominee companies on the island are recruiting only Israelis or Hebrew speakers, possibly employing them illegally on tourist visas. These claims have stirred questions about the legality of employment practices within this popular tourist destination. Suer Thuen, reporting under the title "Illegal Media," shared that he has lived on Koh Phangan for years and is troubled by the activities he uncovered on social media.

 

His investigation revealed that many island businesses are Israeli-owned, where recruitment communication primarily occurs through social media and is targeted at Israelis and Hebrew speakers. A notable example is a WhatsApp group with over 1,000 members, predominantly discussing job opportunities meant for Israelis. This discovery has raised concerns about whether individuals are arriving with tourist visas and then engaging in employment without appropriate work permits.

 

The possible circumvention of Thai immigration and labor laws by foreigners has raised eyebrows among locals and expatriates alike. Many worry about the implications for legal workers and the integrity of business practices on the island. The matter may also draw attention from authorities pressured to scrutinize and address these concerns, ensuring that all employment complies with existing regulations.

 

Looking ahead, these findings could prompt Thai authorities to initiate investigations into employment practices on Koh Phangan. There may also be increased scrutiny of visa applications and business ownership structures. The situation underscores the need for businesses to adhere to local laws, as failure to do so may result in intensified legal and social consequences.

 

Key Takeaways

• Concerns arise over potential illegal Israeli employment practices.
• Local investigation highlights potential tourism visa misuse.
• Authorities may soon focus on regulatory compliance enforcement.

 

Related stories:

Samui Restaurant Denies Ejecting Israeli Tourists

Trump: No U.S. Backing for Israeli Annexation of West Bank

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-10-07

 

 

Just report it to immigration...

A recent report from Pia northern Thailand highlighted concerns of Israeli  domination in this area. 

Koh Phangan was promised to the Jews in ancient times. They were chosen for the Land. Now the tribes of Phangan have returned as the rightful heirs. But all are welcome to the beachfront Shabbat festivities and a plate of Kao Pat Pastrami.

 

13 minutes ago, wasabi said:

Koh Phangan was promised to the Jews in ancient times. They were chosen for the Land. Now the tribes of Phangan have returned as the rightful heirs. But all are welcome to the beachfront Shabbat festivities and a plate of Kao Pat Pastrami.

 

You enjoyed too much Wasabi, didn't you?🤩

Why would they want to employ those who are not the chosen ! 🙄

Ok, so some random person describing themself as a "journalist" makes an allegation and all the bigots crawl out from under their rocks.  Maybe there are some Israeli owned business on Ko Phagnan. So what? There are German and Russian, English, and Australian businesses too. If they are not respecting the immigration laws, shut them down. If this person is so concerned, they can make a complaint with the immigration department like a good citizen, or maybe they are  just a competitor who can't rip people off because of the competition. How about some facts instead of innuendo?

1 hour ago, jippytum said:

A recent report from Pia northern Thailand highlighted concerns of Israeli  domination in this area. 

A recent report from Thailand highlighted the number of miserable white males who failed in life and blame everyone but themselves for their failures.

1 hour ago, jippytum said:

A recent report from Pia northern Thailand highlighted concerns of Israeli  domination in this area. 

 

   Pai .

The recent report from Pai turned out to be incorrect .

The 30 000 Israelis living in Pai turned out to be 30 000 Israelis visiting Pai over the course of the whole year and most stayed just a few days 

An expat friend of mine recently holidayed on Koh Phangan. He complained about the "Israeli takeover" of the island. He said life on the island is more of an Israeli culture than Thai. 

It must be said that Israelis have forged a poor reputation for themselves. For some reason many Israelis display arrogant and disrespectful behavior, eg. I was in an ice-cream parlor at Fisherman's Beach recently. An Israeli group were sitting at a table. A couple of the guys had stretched their legs into the walkway for customer access blocking the possibility of either getting into or out of the shop. I said "excuse me" to alert them to my attempt to get into the shop. In return I received looks of disdain and they reluctantly moved their feet, grumbling and muttering in their own language. 

Nice impression! 

 

Even though I told She Who Must be Obeyed that I was the chosen, she still wouldn't let me order the fries.

12 minutes ago, Grandpa Cool said:

. I said "excuse me" to alert them to my attempt to get into the shop. In return I received looks of disdain and they reluctantly moved their feet, grumbling and muttering in their own language. 

Nice impression! 

 

 

   So they moved their feet as requested ?

What are you complaining  about ?

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

His investigation revealed that many island businesses are Israeli-owned

 

Unbelievable.

 

Israelis ruining it for all other expats again.

48 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Ok, so some random person describing themself as a "journalist" makes an allegation and all the bigots crawl out from under their rocks. 

Thats the way it works with the Protocols gang

Can we get a map which highlights concentrations of Israelis in Thailand? 

 

I gather Ko Samui, Pai, and Ko Phangan are Israeli hotspots.

 

Any others?

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

Can we get a map which highlights concentrations of Israelis in Thailand? 

 

I gather Ko Samui, Pai, and Ko Phangan are Israeli hotspots.

 

Any others?

 

    Cameronis head 

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

Can we get a map which highlights concentrations of Israelis in Thailand? 

 

I gather Ko Samui, Pai, and Ko Phangan are Israeli hotspots.

 

Any others?

Last time I was there, I noticed mostly Russians, might have changed now

2 hours ago, Grandpa Cool said:

An expat friend of mine recently holidayed on Koh Phangan. He complained about the "Israeli takeover" of the island. He said life on the island is more of an Israeli culture than Thai. 

It must be said that Israelis have forged a poor reputation for themselves. For some reason many Israelis display arrogant and disrespectful behavior, eg. I was in an ice-cream parlor at Fisherman's Beach recently. An Israeli group were sitting at a table. A couple of the guys had stretched their legs into the walkway for customer access blocking the possibility of either getting into or out of the shop. I said "excuse me" to alert them to my attempt to get into the shop. In return I received looks of disdain and they reluctantly moved their feet, grumbling and muttering in their own language. 

Nice impression! 

 

They were speaking in their own language?

Oh, the horror!

2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Can we get a map which highlights concentrations of Israelis in Thailand? 

 

I gather Ko Samui, Pai, and Ko Phangan are Israeli hotspots.

 

Any others?

Your brain.

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Ok, so some random person describing themself as a "journalist" makes an allegation and all the bigots crawl out from under their rocks.  Maybe there are some Israeli owned business on Ko Phagnan. So what? There are German and Russian, English, and Australian businesses too. If they are not respecting the immigration laws, shut them down. If this person is so concerned, they can make a complaint with the immigration department like a good citizen, or maybe they are  just a competitor who can't rip people off because of the competition. How about some facts instead of innuendo?

It's not rocket science.

No Jews, No news.

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

Last time I was there, I noticed mostly Russians, might have changed now

 

I thought that was Phuket and Pattaya?

17 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

I thought that was Phuket and Pattaya?

They where not the majority but around the beaches it was noticable. Quite a few DJs and artists selling designer stuff at the markeds as well. 

 

Could be Polish and Ukrainians as well, not always easy to know. 

 

This is the younger generations who live from day to day doing their cool things with afternoon techno rave parties and mindfulness on drugs. 

 

Anyway, you find all kinds of people at Koh Phangan. Might go back next year and check it out again.

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

This is the younger generations who live from day to day doing their cool things with afternoon techno rave parties and mindfulness on drugs. 

 

 

Yes, the availability of drugs is a major attraction for Israelis for sure. They seem to have a penchant for synthetic drugs.

About 15 percent of Israelis speak Russian. 

5 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Yes, the availability of drugs is a major attraction for Israelis for sure. They seem to have a penchant for synthetic drugs.

The most annoying at our beach, was the nomad workers who occupied the tables at our favourite restaurants working with headphones and also had business calls while we trying to enjoy the breeze and quietness along the shore. 

 

My neighbor right behind me,  also did run an online language school from his balcony, but we managed an agreement where he did his verbal lectures inside his bungalow. 

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

The most annoying at our beach, was the nomad workers who occupied the tables at our favourite restaurants working with headphones and also had business calls while we trying to enjoy the breeze and quietness along the shore. 

 

That's unbelievably annoying. It's almost as bad as when I put olive oil in the pan today to fry my bacon. I could not believe I did that.

55 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It's not rocket science.

No Jews, No news.

Or, alternatively... "Jews will always be Jews Oops ! - I mean "news".

11 hours ago, Hummin said:

This is the younger generations who live from day to day doing their cool things with afternoon techno rave parties and mindfulness on drugs. 

 

sounds like the main reason to avoid the place. 

 

20 minutes ago, AnnaBanana said:

Or, alternatively... "Jews will always be Jews Oops ! - I mean "news".

Alternative snark.

44 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

That's unbelievably annoying. It's almost as bad as when I put olive oil in the pan today to fry my bacon. I could not believe I did that.

That is the fine art of Irony 😆

 

Annoying when you stay for 3 months, and all the reviews said it was the most quiet decent place with view on the Island 🤔.

 

The Nomads occupation of free WiFi and restaurants tables is universal, where they buy water and maybe a lunch.