Koh Phangan district authorities in Surat Thani have decided to seek the revocation of visas for three US nationals of Israeli ethnicity. This action follows concerns that the individuals' behavior could disrupt public order. The case will be forwarded to the Immigration Police for further review and action.

Get today's headlines by email

The decision was made during a meeting led by Paisit Thongjerm, the Koh Phangan district chief, who chairs the area's Committee for Screening the Behaviour of Foreign Nationals. This marks the committee's fifth meeting of 2026. Attendees included various law enforcement and administrative officials, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order.

The individuals were reportedly seen carrying a flag with a religious symbol and allegedly encouraging people to join a group via WhatsApp. They were also said to have distributed leaflets to promote an activity in Koh Tao subdistrict, which raised concerns among locals and tourists alike. Businesses and residents feared these actions might lead to unrest.

The authorities have taken this step to ensure the safety and confidence of tourists and residents. The immigration police will now consider appropriate legal actions based on the report submitted. Koh Phangan officials remain committed to cooperating with all relevant agencies to uphold public safety and order.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Nation · 01 Apr 2026

View full article

Now there's a surprise. White sock wearing americans causing problems abroad.

That's two good reasons to send them packing. Well done Thailand more of this please. But the not King he's welcome everywhere.

Thailand welcomes millions of tourists annually, but that hospitality doesn’t extend to people who treat the country like a prop for their antics.

Section 54 of the Flag Act (1979) makes it an offense to improperly display, misuse, or treat with disrespect any national flag, including foreign ones, when it is flown or used in Thailand.

The law is written broadly on purpose: Thailand doesn’t want chaos with people waving any nation’s flag in ways that could cause public disorder, insult, or disrespect.

That alone is more than enough legal basis for visa revocation and deportation!

Small hats again

Yes, send them on. Plenty of opportunity to do this back home.

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Yes, send them on. Plenty of opportunity to do this back home.

Indeed. No need/point in doing this on Thailand.

And what about the American "missionaries", in black suits, white shirts and socks, mostly on bicycles, who want to convert the happy Thais to sad Christianity?

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

three US nationals of Israeli ethnicity

This is a new one and very strange at that. So NOW you're telling us the ethnicity of foreign nationals. Good so far but what's this "Israeli ethnicity" concept? Don't you mean Jewish? Israel is the state of the Jewish people in case you didn't know.

1 minute ago, NorthernRyland said:

This is a new one and very strange at that. So NOW you're telling us the ethnicity of foreign nationals. Good so far but what's this "Israeli ethnicity" concept? Don't you mean Jewish? Israel is the state of the Jewish people in case you didn't know.

Correct! There is no "Israeli ethnicity", only a "Jewish ethnicity".

12 minutes ago, BerndD said:

And what about the American "missionaries", in black suits, white shirts and socks, mostly on bicycles, who want to convert the happy Thais to sad Christianity?

They are allowed here for comic relief.

Amazingly successful (worldwide, not in Thailand) considering how little they have to offer beyond enthusiasm.

IMHO one of the most clever things that evangelicals of all stripes teach missionaries is that rejection is somehow proof of the truth of their message.

Every time a door is slammed in their face it charges their (proselyt...) uh, charges their missionary batteries.

So what is it that they exactly did I still don’t get it TIT

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The individuals were reportedly seen carrying a flag with a religious symbol and allegedly encouraging people to join a group via WhatsApp. They were also said to have distributed leaflets to promote an activity in Koh Tao subdistrict

what activity?

naked yoga?

8 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

So what is it that they exactly did I still don’t get it TIT

Just more plain racism..

11 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

So what is it that they exactly did I still don’t get it TIT

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40064548

3 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40064548

I'm still no wiser Carrying a flag? Organising an activity? Very sparse on the details here.

34 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

This is a new one and very strange at that. So NOW you're telling us the ethnicity of foreign nationals. Good so far but what's this "Israeli ethnicity" concept? Don't you mean Jewish? Israel is the state of the Jewish people in case you didn't know.

They are Israelis holding dual citizenship with the U.S. A sizeable percentage of Israelis do this.

19 minutes ago, nausea said:

I'm still no wiser Carrying a flag? Organising an activity? Very sparse on the details here.

If you really want to know, you can find out.

The key to success here in Thailand is to leave that other life behind to live a fresh new life. Bringing troubles here is offering nothing but trouble!

55 minutes ago, BerndD said:

And what about the American "missionaries", in black suits, white shirts and socks, mostly on bicycles, who want to convert the happy Thais to sad Christianity?

They're not exactly Christians; they're Mormons.

And you're missing out on some of that snazzy special underwear they sport, called "The Garment".

It's the only faith I know of that actually was started by a Snake Oil Salesman. While many people say religious proselytizers are snake oil salesman, Joseph Smith WAS such a salesman, at carnivals back in the 19th Century. He was also illiterate, though that is a common trait among the founders of faiths. Mo was illiterate, and there is no mention of Jesus being a scribe, which is why the books outlining his teachings were authored by the likes of M, M, L & J.

18 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

They are allowed here for comic relief.

Amazingly successful (worldwide, not in Thailand) considering how little they have to offer beyond enthusiasm.

IMHO one of the most clever things that evangelicals of all stripes teach missionaries is that rejection is somehow proof of the truth of their message.

Every time a door is slammed in their face it charges their (proselyt...) uh, charges their missionary batteries.

That's quite brilliant, isn't it? That default mentality, together with the idea they are doing "God's work", by definition, nips any critical feedback in the bud. All objections are a badge of honour! Sure makes for a resilient workforce, as you say.

They've managed to make inroads in the North with many marginalized hill tribes.

They were carrying a “Moshiach” flag.

It is a fringe Jewish group that espouses the coming of the messiah. Followers evangelize their beliefs around the world.

It is controversial, even in Israel.

A deeper dive shows that the flag was not Israeli. The iimage of ndividuals and their flag are available at several websites. Zonesamui has this uncredited image. I have never seen this religious symbol before. Has anyone? Looks more like a rohrshach blotch.

They look like lubavitcher members who were advertising their presence. They usually keep a low profile and focus on delivering religious access to jewish people, like a place to pray and access to kosher food and charity. I wonder if it has something to do with Passover which coincides with Easter this year. Perhaps, it was an invitation to join them at a last supper / seder event? They are not known for common sense though and can be rather clueless as to optics.

There's a bigger issue involved though. What was the Whats App group? Were they offering their services? They don't proselytize, so it is doubtful they present a threat to buddhists. If one can get nicked for asking people to join a whats app group, that doesn't bode well for anyone.

40 minutes ago, 1duckyboy said:

They are Israelis holding dual citizenship with the U.S. A sizeable percentage of Israelis do this.

Helps in making certain decisions, like should we bomb Iran.

20 minutes ago, Wingate said:

They're not exactly Christians; they're Mormons.

And you're missing out on some of that snazzy special underwear they sport, called "The Garment".

It's the only faith I know of that actually was started by a Snake Oil Salesman. While many people say religious proselytizers are snake oil salesman, Joseph Smith WAS such a salesman, at carnivals back in the 19th Century.

The Mormons have a noticeable presence in Thailand. The emphasis on family and avoidance of tobacco, alcohol, drugs attracts people. The missionaries are young, affable good looking and fluent in Thai. There was a youth camp here in Hua Hin last January. Nicest, well behaved Thais I have ever seen.

I wish the mormons offered their language training to everyone because it is so effective. They take people with no knowledge and 3 months later, they can converse in the language.

Antisemitism pure and simple.

Now I could have understood them being pulled for being American.

8 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Helps in making certain decisions, like should we bomb Iran.

And you know that these 3 pudgy guys were doing that?

The knives are out for "Israelis" in Thailand.

They've worn out their welcome.

We don’t want unruly people causing trouble on our beautiful island send them packing

Thailand has accepted missionaries for at least 400 years. One reason no one minded was they were often unsuccessful.

Jewish missionaries have a disadvantage is that when they say to the male convert, "Put your family jewels on this chopping block" their success rate goes down (literally).