A Phuket restaurant owner faced mixed reactions after posting videos of himself chasing an Israeli man from his restaurant while shouting "free Palestine." The incident, which occurred on March 9, has sparked debate online over the owner's decision to refuse service based on the man's nationality.

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The owner shared the encounter on Facebook, explaining he asked the man to leave upon noticing Hebrew on his phone. The videos show the owner instructing the Israeli tourist to "go away" and shouting "Free Palestine" as the man walked out.

The Israeli man, visibly dissatisfied but non-confrontational, filmed the restaurant as he left. Online, responses varied; some supported the owner's stance, while others criticized the escalation in a multicultural area like Phuket.

Supporters of the restaurant owner cited past reports of inappropriate behavior by Israeli tourists in Thailand. Meanwhile, critics warned against importing overseas political disputes into the country. The event comes on the heels of a March 6 incident involving an Israeli man allegedly assaulting a foreigner over Middle Eastern political tensions.

After that incident, the same Israeli individual reportedly displayed aggression towards a Thai police officer intervening. These events highlight ongoing tensions linked to international conflicts manifesting in Thailand.

Looking ahead, the divisive response underscores the need for awareness and sensitivity regarding diverse national backgrounds in tourist destinations like Phuket. Authorities may monitor such interactions to prevent further incidents, reported The Thaiger.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 10 Mar 2026

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amazing Thailand why don’t they chase all the Russians out of the restaurant TIT

'...upon noticing Hebrew on his phone...' Really?

I'm sure it was well deserved and shouldn't he be out fighting in the desert instead of annoying people in Thailand?

Shopkeepers have the right to deny service to anyone. The Israeli guy wasn't confrontational because there are other shops that want his money. A mountain out of a molehill for the Facebook crowd again.

Pathetic shopkeeper, deserves to go bankrupt.

Would he serve Russians for their illegal attack on Ukraine?

How about the poor Cambodians in the border dispute? Any thoughts on them?

Sudan, that's a place not going well.

Selective with his outrage, no doubt!

What is the name of the restaurant? The owner deserves support and encouragement. The atrocities committed in Gaza over the last three years have shocked and deeply affected every decent human being around the world.

I love it, there's no reason why Israeli citizens shouldn't be subject to criticism for the extremist policies that their government is carrying out.

As an American I am quite concerned that I could be facing that same level of criticism very soon, for the extreme levels of warmongering taking place in my country.

Why is this business getting flack? Here in Pattaya, Indians are discriminated against on WS and other businesses daily. What is the problem? Some Jewish tourists are very ugly with their behavior and I have no issues with this business refusing service.

39 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I love it, there's no reason why Israeli citizens shouldn't be subject to criticism for the extremist policies that their government is carrying out.

As an American I am quite concerned that I could be facing that same level of criticism very soon, for the extreme levels of warmongering taking place in my country.

Stop whining ok. Thais have no reason to be hating on Americans at this time. Warmongering in my country...as an American, I can tell you that is pure BS.

45 minutes ago, Danny Australia said:

What is the name of the restaurant? The owner deserves support and encouragement. The atrocities committed in Gaza over the last three years have shocked and deeply affected every decent human being around the world.

Yes. Agree.

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Pathetic shopkeeper, deserves to go bankrupt.

Would he serve Russians for their illegal attack on Ukraine?

How about the poor Cambodians in the border dispute? Any thoughts on them?

Sudan, that's a place not going well.

Selective with his outrage, no doubt!

have you seen how the Jews act up in Thailand lately? They are not welcomed anywhere now because their behavior is above and beyond the usual <deleted> type of behavior.

I remember the notices outside shops in California as far back as 1978: no shirts, no shoes, no service. The right to deny service is just that, a right.

1 hour ago, Danny Australia said:

What is the name of the restaurant? The owner deserves support and encouragement. The atrocities committed in Gaza over the last three years have shocked and deeply affected every decent human being around the world.

Payback is a bitch.

40 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

Stop whining ok. Thais have no reason to be hating on Americans at this time. Warmongering in my country...as an American, I can tell you that is pure BS.

What happened to the price of oil? That's reason enough.

The problem here isn't any particular person but the antisemitism and prejudice that automatically comes out. Lumping all into one group never works, as all nationalities and races has their share of dickheads, and this doesn't mean they all are.

Anyone who hates all Americans because of this war is very closed minded, as most of us want to see peace in Iran, and this always comes at a price. If it doesn't happen, the chaos and killing always continues. All Jews aren't bad. Just some, the same as all other groups.

42 minutes ago, Purdey said:

I remember the notices outside shops in California as far back as 1978: no shirts, no shoes, no service. The right to deny service is just that, a right.

So you have a problem it with the civil rights act of 1963 in America? The act that prohibited businesses from denying service to customers based on their race?

56 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

Why is this business getting flack? Here in Pattaya, Indians are discriminated against on WS and other businesses daily. What is the problem? Some Jewish tourists are very ugly with their behavior and I have no issues with this business refusing service.

The restaurant owner concluded that the customer was Israeli based on the Hebrew in his phone not on his conduct.

Some Christian tourists are also very ugly with their behavior. Would you justify throwing out Christian customers?

So the owner supports terrorists. Good to know, definitely one to avoid.

1 hour ago, Danny Australia said:

What is the name of the restaurant? The owner deserves support and encouragement. The atrocities committed in Gaza over the last three years have shocked and deeply affected every decent human being around the world.

The Israelis have done nothing that compares to what Hamas/Palestinians have done. Open your eyes and don't get sucked into Hamas' PR drivel.

Why is he on vacation? There is a war going on, he should be in the IDF fighting for his country, not larping as a non-combatant tourist.

6 minutes ago, connda said:

Why is he on vacation? There is a war going on, he should be in the IDF fighting for his country, not larping as a non-combatant tourist.

Could have been looking for Palestinians in Phukett ?

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Could have been looking for Palestinians in Phukett ?

It looks like he found one.

3 minutes ago, connda said:

It looks like he found one.

Probably sent the shops location to Mossad and they will do the rest

19 minutes ago, mattyc1957 said:

The Israelis have done nothing that compares to what Hamas/Palestinians have done. Open your eyes and don't get sucked into Hamas' PR drivel.

Are you delusional? Like to see you sent to live with the Palestinians and endure what they have to on a daily basis.

You need a wake up call but it's probably too late for someone with your inability to know what reality is. Statements like yours are just pathetic to say the least.

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

Shopkeepers have the right to deny service to anyone. The Israeli guy wasn't confrontational because there are other shops that want his money. A mountain out of a molehill for the Facebook crowd again.

If denying service to Israelis is acceptable, then by the same logic it would also be acceptable to kick out Nigerians, Filipinos, Australians, Americans - anyone the restaurant decides. Most people would rightly call that discrimination.

People should rally around and support the shop as they should the Palestinians who have had their land stolen and been massacred by arguably the most evil people on the planet. It is hard to believe Israel get's the support they do which to me proves humanity is at a low point and the world will not survive until these wrongs are righted.

It's time for the world to stop backing the criminals and begin backing the victims. End of story.

A pointless low value one word? in capital letters has been removed, posts of this type are meaningless to most and will always be removed.

Please understand this is a discussion board, it is not messenger or twitter @Zimar

13.Low-Value Posts - Posts that add no written contribution are not allowed.

This includes emoji-only replies, very short comments, memes, GIFs, screenshots, or embedded social media posts without explanation or opinion.

14 minutes ago, jimgilly said:

Are you delusional? Like to see you sent to live with the Palestinians and endure what they have to on a daily basis.

You need a wake up call but it's probably too late for someone with your inability to know what reality is. Statements like yours are just pathetic to say the least.

Let’s face it, outrageous atrocities have been carried out by both sides. The “they did it first” argument doesn’t really cut it. The issues, the violence, the attacks, the retaliation, the inhumanity - it’s all far more complex and nuanced than a forum discussion can coherently or succinctly deal with.

But this particular situation isn’t about geopolitics - it’s about discrimination. Asking someone to leave a restaurant purely because of their nationality is discrimination. Nothing more, nothing less.

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

Let’s face it, outrageous atrocities have been carried out by both sides. The “they did it first” argument doesn’t really cut it. The issues, the violence, the attacks, the retaliation, the inhumanity - it’s all far more complex and nuanced than a forum discussion can coherently or succinctly deal with.

But this particular situation isn’t about geopolitics - it’s about discrimination. Asking someone to leave a restaurant purely because of their nationality is discrimination. Nothing more, nothing less.

No it's not that complex. One group had their land stolen and is being subjugated to inhumane treatment and genocide while another group is committing atrocities and is reaping the rewards.

Also, I'm going to guess your from the country that made this possible so perhaps that is why your attacking the shop owner. In any case, we are all entitled to our opinion, but some opinions make sense and yours does not. End of discussion.