Thailand expects Israeli tourists to be better behaved in future following a meeting between Thai police and a top Israeli security official, amid growing discontent with visitors from the jewish state.
Pol Maj Gen Suwat Suksri said that at Monday’s meeting Avi Bitton, a high-level adviser to the Israeli Security Council, had strongly supported the need for Thailand to take swift and stern action, without hesitation, against Israeli offenders, including those running illegal businesses.
“We hope the discussion, to some extent, will reslove the problem of Israeli tourists engaging in inappropriate behaviour,” Pol Maj Gen Suwat, who is the Surat Thani police chief, said after the talks in Phuket.
Pol Maj Gen Suwat was one of the top police officers in southern provinces who attended the talk with Mr Bitton, who led a delegation to Phuket. The meeting was held to address the problems involving Israeli visitors and expats in Thailand.
The meeting came amid rising public sentiment against Israeli citizens in Thailand – from Pai and Phuket, Koh Phangnga and Koh Samui – fuelled by their offensive behaviour and running of illegal businesses.
The four destinations are popular with Israelis and sanctuaries have been opened exclusively for their use, including reservists recovering from the pressures of the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They have built these Chabads, exclusive communities, in Pai and other places.
Israel has six Chabad in Thailand. They are in Pai district in Mae Hong Son, and on three islands – Phuket, Koh Samui and Phangan, according to the meeting on Monday. Security for the Israelis was a focus during the talk.
Mr Bitton explained the need to deploy maximum security at those places where Israelis stay, with no outsiders allowed inside, for the safety of their citizens because of the war in Gaza, Pol Maj Gen Suwat said.
The Israeli security adviser had promised to allow Thai authorities to inspect the areas, he added.
Israeli media outlets earlier this year identified Mr Bitton as the central police commander.
About 300,000 Israeli tourists visited Thailand from January to September this year, a 57% leap on the same period last year, Tourism and Sports Ministry figures showed.
“The rise in Israeli travellers this year can be seen as a knock-on effect of Israel’s grueling war in Gaza, with many young Israelis choosing Thailand after completing military service or reserve duty,” The Times of Israel said in March.
The influx of tourists from Israel has led to dissatisfaction among Thais as many show little respect for Thai law. Recently, on Oct 14, four of them were arrested on Koh Samui for holding a party with drugs to celebrate peace.
One of the more infamous incidents was in May when an Israeli woman refused to take off her shoes before entering a Thai restaurant on Koh Phangan, saying “My money built your country”.
Authorities and local business operators have repeatedly raised concerns about Israeli visitors’ behaviour and the rise of illegal foreign-run businesses on the resort island.
The Israeli embassy posted a message on its Facebook post on Saturday, advising its citizens in Thailand how to behave during the mourning period for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who passed away on Friday.
“Avoid loud music, parties or demonstrations of public joy, dress modestly and solid tones, and respect the general atmosphere of mourning for the next 30 days,” the embassy said. “Showing respect and consideration in this sensitive time will be greatly appreciated by the Thai public,” it added.