Phuket provincial authorities are investigating an Israeli-owned restaurant in Patong following complaints that Thai customers were refused service and denied entry.

Pol. Capt. Khetarat Chansilp, Phuket's Deputy Governor and Acting Security Advisor to the Ministry of Interior, led an inspection of the venue and other local businesses, after the reports emerged on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

Ownership and management under review

The inspections forms part of a wider government effort to regulate foreign-owned businesses and check that they comply with Thai law.

Officials are reviewing the restaurant's ownership arrangements, management practices and supporting documents. They will assess whether it is operating legally, including whether Thai nationals may have been used as nominees to conceal foreign control.

Nominee business arrangements are prohibited under Thai law, according to the authorities, who said such structures can undermine fair competition.

No outcome of the investigation has yet been announced. Phuket officials said legal action would follow if breaches are confirmed.

Equal treatment warning

Khetarat said businesses must serve customers equally regardless of nationality. He warned against venues operating exclusively for foreign clients.

He also instructed officers to keep watch on establishments advertising mainly in Hebrew or appearing to target international visitors only.

Authorities said the wider objective is to protect consumer rights and public confidence in Phuket's tourism industry. They also said enforcement was intended to maintain Thailand's image as a welcoming destination for both Thai people and overseas visitors.

Picture courtesy of Phuket Express

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21 August 2026

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Surprised Thais want to eat there, Thais eat a lot of pork and shellfish which Jews do not!

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

He also instructed officers to keep watch on establishments advertising mainly in Hebrew or appearing to target international visitors only.

Lol, go to Srithanu on Koh Phangan! No English or Thai language on the big restaurant signage, just Hebrew. How do they get away with it? (When I ran small hotels on Phuket, the local authority visited to check my signs and that I had paid the small signage tax...)

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by simon43

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So thai business puts up signs no Israeli allowed and refuse service....... Perfectly normal

Israelis do the same in return.....Investigations.

Talk about hypocrites.

Not smart to draw attention this way. This won't end well for the guy.

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

So thai business puts up signs no Israeli allowed and refuse service....... Perfectly normal

Israelis do the same in return.....Investigations.

Talk about hypocrites.

But we are in Thailand which shifts the balance!

3 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

But we are in Thailand which shifts the balance!

Ahhhh the good old saving face.

Israeli food is OK but for the most part it's a variation of Arabic food.

Lebanese restaurants are usually better.

Surely it's up to a restaurant owner who they should they want to serve . If there is a backlash about refusing service then it's up to them to face that or change their service ways .

It will either boost their business or ruin it !

It's impossible to know from this report what actually happened with this restaurant.

If Thailand had a national law to translate all menus into Thai that would be fine but probably a waste of many for many international food restaurants.

When I lived in the US (before smart phone google translate) I had numerous experiences walking into Chinese restaurants with no English menus and owners more or less shooing me away.

That pissed me off but on the other hand it was in some ways for my own good as if I just pointed at some Chinese menu items the risk of getting a plate of pickled chicken anuses was quite real.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by Jingthing

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Phuket provincial authorities are investigating an Israeli-owned restaurant in Patong

Close down the shop and kick out all the Israelis. And no return. Seize their assets.

Thinking about this if Thailand wants to enforce against discrimination against Thais and nothing about discrimination against non Thais (which is common for example at nightclubs for Japanese) then I think it's hypocritical but OK. It is their country and face it a lot of the attraction of Thailand for many people is it not being politically correct.

You know what will happen next. It will be flooded with people wearing Palestinian support gear causing havoc. 🤣🤣🤣

Post breaking forum rules removed @rwill

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

Lol, go to Srithanu on Koh Phangan! No English or Thai language on the big restaurant signage, just Hebrew. How do they get away with it? (When I ran small hotels on Phuket, the local authority visited to check my signs and that I had paid the small signage tax...)

My area of Phuket there are plenty of business signage solely in Russian.

Different nationality, same principle?

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

So thai business puts up signs no Israeli allowed and refuse service....... Perfectly normal

Israelis do the same in return.....Investigations.

Talk about hypocrites.

when it's your house you get to make the rules.

30 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Close down the shop and kick out all the Israelis. And no return. Seize their assets.

Should we wait till they complete the check on whether any laws have been broken first?

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by wensiensheng

5 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

when it's your house you get to make the rules.

Exactly....so why the investigation.

Israelis acting poorly, maybe a new thread.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Officials are reviewing the restaurant's ownership arrangements, management practices and supporting documents. They will assess whether it is operating legally, including whether Thai nationals may have been used as nominees to conceal foreign control.

What does this have to do with the question of whether they're barring Thais from entry?

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Khetarat said businesses must serve customers equally regardless of nationality.

I don't know whether it's still the case, but most establishments on Soi Thaniya in Patpong used to have signs on the door saying "JAPANESE ONLY", and the authorities didn't seem to have any problem with that at all.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

He also instructed officers to keep watch on establishments advertising mainly in Hebrew or appearing to target international visitors only.

There are literally thousands of businesses throughout the country targeted specifically at foreigners, advertising "mainly" (often solely) in Japanese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, and of course English. What makes Hebrew different?

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities said the wider objective is to protect consumer rights and public confidence in Phuket's tourism industry.

Yes, Israeli restaurants are clearly the main barriers to public confidence in Phuket - not taxi and transportation scams, overloaded and poorly maintained boats, or local mafias - a very good choice of enforcement priorities 🙄

3 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

I don't know whether it's still the case, but most establishments on Soi Thaniya in Patpong used to have signs on the door saying "JAPANESE ONLY", and the authorities didn't seem to have any problem with that at all.

There used to be a hostess bar in Rayong near the Star Hotel. On the door it had JAPANESE written on the door but I don't remember there being the word ONLY. Very pretty women and different outfits depending on the day of the week.

Now I'm confused. This restaurant is acting against Thai law by refusing entry based on nationality, but in another case, that's perfectly legitimate? So, do the laws in Thailand not apply to everyone?

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

Lol, go to Srithanu on Koh Phangan! No English or Thai language on the big restaurant signage, just Hebrew. How do they get away with it? (When I ran small hotels on Phuket, the local authority visited to check my signs and that I had paid the small signage tax...)

My thoughts too- how can a foreigner own a restaurant here- I would welcome some education guys