Israeli Ambassador Urges Calm After Anti-Israeli Protests in Thailand

Thailand has long been a favored destination for Israeli tourists, but a string of recent protests and disputes involving visitors has prompted Israel's ambassador to urge calm and cooperation to keep the Middle East conflict off Thai soil.

Diplomacy and Reassurances

Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm told AFP at the Israeli embassy in Bangkok:

"We have to work together to make sure that the conflict in the Middle East is not imported here to Thailand."

She added that, while some incidents have raised concerns, it is still "very hard for me to use the word antisemitic here in Thailand," saying that such sentiments are far from the prevailing Thai mentality and tolerance.

What Sparked the Protests

In recent weeks demonstrators have gathered outside the Israeli embassy and at popular tourist spots. At one rally led by Sondhi Limthongkul of the ultra-royalist "Yellow Shirt" movement, some protesters carried signs reading "Jews Out" and slogans urging Israelis to leave. On the island of Phuket, organisers cancelled a Rosh Hashanah dinner at the last minute citing fears of potential violence.

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the US State Department's special envoy on antisemitism, posted on X that he was "deeply concerned by rising anti‑Semitic rhetoric in Thailand." Thai and Israeli officials, however, have emphasized that much of the unrest appears linked to tensions over tourist behaviour rather than an organized campaign of antisemitism.

Culture Gap and Specific Incidents

Fisher-Kamm acknowledged "a kind of culture gap between Israelis and Thais," pointing to reported cases of disrespectful or inconsiderate conduct by some visitors. A high-profile episode on Koh Samui involved a French owner and his Thai wife who banned Israeli tourists from their zoo; Thai authorities subsequently ordered the Frenchman deported, saying his actions risked stirring religious division.

Thai media have also spotlighted allegations that some foreigners, including Israelis, use Thai intermediaries to skirt restrictions on foreign ownership of land and businesses. Reported cases include an allegedly unauthorised school on Koh Phangan—popularly nicknamed "Little Tel Aviv"—and claims that burials continued at a Jewish cemetery after its licence expired. The ambassador cautioned against amplifying isolated incidents and warned of social media campaigns that could inflame tensions.

Cooperation and Practical Steps

Fisher-Kamm met with Thailand's foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to discuss ways to minimise friction. The Israeli embassy has produced Hebrew-language brochures outlining expected rules of conduct for visitors; these are being distributed via social media, airlines and travel agencies.

Thailand, which relies heavily on tourism, has stressed that hospitality does not mean tourists can act without consequence. After meeting the ambassador, Foreign Minister Sihasak said:

"Our welcome does not mean tourists—no matter what nationality they are—can do anything they want in Thailand."

He warned that failing to address misconduct could harm bilateral ties and noted that tens of thousands of Thais work in Israel under a bilateral labour agreement, particularly in agriculture.

Why It Matters

More than 420,000 Israelis visited Thailand last year, many young people travelling after completing mandatory military service. Officials on both sides appear motivated to protect those travel links and reduce friction: Israel by advising its citizens, and Thailand by enforcing local rules and deporting those who threaten public order.

"It's a beautiful country," Fisher-Kamm said of Thailand. "The people are tolerant, they are nice, they are smart, they are welcoming." She added that many Israeli tourists are choosing destinations as far removed from regional conflict as possible.