A quiet boutique hotel on Koh Phangan, one of the most popular destinations for Israeli travelers in Thailand, has posted an unusual message aimed explicitly at visitors from Israel.
Several images in the hotel’s Booking.com gallery were overlaid in red letters with the words: “Not recommended for Israeli guests.”
The property, Shanti Boutique Hotel in the Sri Thanu area, nevertheless enjoys high ratings, with a score of 8.6 on Booking.com and 4.8 on Google. The message appears prominently on photos of the pool, rooms and other parts of the hotel.
It appears to conflict with Booking.com’s anti-discrimination policies, which prohibit partners from rejecting reservations or imposing different conditions on guests on the basis of nationality, among other protected characteristics.
Booking.com told ynet that it had opened a comprehensive investigation following an inquiry about the listing. The hotel had not responded by the time of publication.
The hotel that ‘recommends’ Israelis stay away
(Photo: booking.com)
The incident in Thailand comes amid a series of cases in which Israeli and Jewish travelers have been targeted abroad.
Last week, a document circulated on social media and messaging groups in Italy calling on users to report the arrival of Israeli and Jewish guests at hotels and vacation rentals, as well as their presence at businesses, with the stated aim of “mapping Zionist tourism.”
The document was removed after Italy’s antisemitism commissioner intervened. Members of the Jewish community described the initiative as “a genuine manhunt.”
Hostility toward Israeli tourists has also been reported recently in Sardinia. Calls opposing their arrival circulated on social media, and in several cases protesters gathered at airports to demonstrate against Israeli passengers landing on the island.
First published: 17:49, 07.28.26