Anti-Israel Protests Erupt in Thailand Over Israeli Tourists’ Activities
Local residents have staged protests on the Thai island of Phuket over various activities by Israeli tourists. A protest leader has demanded that the validity of on-arrival tourist visas for Israeli citizens be reduced from one month to 14 days.
The New Arab reported the development on Monday (November 2). A rally was held in Phuket over the weekend, with protesters carrying banners reading “No Israel, Save Phuket”.
At the rally, Thai media personality and Yellow Shirt movement leader Sondhi Limthongkul alleged that Israelis were harming local businesses. He claimed that some businesses were operating exclusively to serve Israeli tourists.
On the same day, another protest was held on the island, where leader Saichol Nuchot called on the Thai government to revoke the citizenship of Israelis who had obtained Thai nationality and shut down all Chabad institutions.
Local protesters alleged that some Israeli citizens were operating businesses without valid licences, showing disrespect for local culture and using the names of Thai citizens to circumvent restrictions on foreign ownership. The report did not include responses from the Israeli citizens or businesses concerned.
The activities of Jewish religious and social centres operating under the name ‘Chabad House’ in Thailand have also recently come under investigation. During an investigation in July, an Israeli tourist reportedly argued with officials and said, “Don’t you know this is Israeli territory?”
Following the incident, Thailand’s Ministry of Interior expanded the scope of its investigation. In September, the licences and property ownership records of at least nine Chabad Houses across the country were examined.
Last week, Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revoked the Thai citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, a leader of the Chabad community. An investigation found that despite obtaining Thai citizenship in 2013, he had travelled to Australia 16 times using his US citizenship.
Thailand, a Southeast Asian country, is a popular destination for Israeli tourists. Many young Israelis travel there after completing their mandatory military service.
Anti-Israel protests have intensified worldwide since the Gaza war began in 2023. However, the recent demonstrations in Thailand have mainly centred on allegations concerning the influence of Israelis in local tourist areas, their business activities and their conduct towards local culture.
Source: The New Arab
