Thailand has delivered an unusually blunt warning to Israel over the conduct of some Israeli nationals in the country, saying continued legal violations and behavior deemed offensive to local communities could ultimately affect relations between the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow raised the issue Tuesday in a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Alona Fisher-Kamm, amid a series of incidents involving Israelis, growing negative coverage in the Thai media and demonstrations in Bangkok and Phuket.
Bangkok warns Israel that misconduct by tourists could spill over into diplomatic relations
(Photo: Kevin Hellon / shutterstock)
According to Thai media reports citing the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok, the discussion focused largely on complaints raised by members of the Thai public following several incidents involving Israeli nationals. Most involved tourists, though some concerned Israelis doing business in Thailand or staying in the country for longer periods.
Sihasak said authorities had received reports of Israelis operating businesses or residing in Thailand for extended periods in violation of local law and made clear that enforcement would be stepped up where necessary.
He stressed, however, that the policy was not aimed specifically at Israelis and would be applied equally to foreign nationals of any nationality who break Thai law. As an example, he cited recent deportation orders issued against one Israeli citizen and one French citizen.
The Thai foreign minister also addressed behavior by some Israeli tourists that, he said, had offended local sensitivities, culture, traditions and ways of life.
Fisher-Kamm said Israeli tourists come to Thailand to vacation and distance themselves from political disputes and tensions, not to bring those conflicts with them.
Addressing recent incidents involving Israelis, she said the embassy was working with Thai authorities on campaigns encouraging Israeli visitors to respect local laws, customs and the communities hosting them.
The warning comes as Israelis face growing scrutiny in Thailand. Local media have recently carried frequent negative reports concerning Israeli tourists, while demonstrations have been held outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok and in Phuket. Another protest is expected outside the embassy in Bangkok on Thursday.
Calls have also appeared in Thai media from residents seeking to limit the permitted stay for Israelis to just 15 days.
Those calls do not represent an announced government policy, and not all recent reports involving Israelis have proved accurate. In some cases, false information was circulated, while in others incidents carried out by tourists of other nationalities were mistakenly attributed to Israelis.
The latest exchange nevertheless marks an escalation in the tone from Bangkok, with the Thai government signaling that repeated incidents involving foreign visitors are no longer being treated solely as a tourism or public-order issue, but as a matter that could carry broader diplomatic consequences.