Israeli Tourism Official Downplays Reports of Thai Rejection of Tourists

Shadi Graysi, owner of a tourism agency specializing in trips to Thailand, has downplayed media reports of widespread rejection of Israeli tourists in the country. He acknowledged isolated incidents of unacceptable behavior by some Israeli tourists but stressed that these do not reflect the general reality of Israeli tourism in Thailand. Graysi stated that relations between Thailand and Israel remain good, highlighting the importance of Israeli tourists to the Thai tourism market. He noted that Thai authorities primarily focus on ensuring respect for local laws, culture, and values.

Graysi explained that the issue sometimes stems from a sense of arrogance or a belief that wealth allows certain tourists to treat others as they please, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable regardless of nationality. He pointed out that Thai society highly values ethics, morals, and mutual respect, and while the Thai people welcome all tourists, they expect adherence to local laws and customs in return. He described instances of restaurants or tourist facilities refusing Israeli tourists as very rare compared to the overall volume of Israeli tourism.

He suggested that the controversy has been amplified on social media, with the perceived scale of the problem exceeding the actual number of incidents. Graysi mentioned that Israeli tourists are among the top five nationalities visiting Thailand and are also high spenders, indicating that Thailand cannot easily afford to lose them. He also noted the significant number of Thai nationals working in Israel.

Graysi maintains ongoing communication with Thai officials, including the Thai Embassy and Ministry of Tourism, consistently advising his clients to treat Thai society with respect. He shared that the Thai ambassador recently sent him a publication encouraging Israeli investors to establish businesses in Thailand, while also emphasizing the importance of respecting international norms and Thai values. Graysi did not rule out political motives behind the amplified controversy but confirmed that the reported protests and incidents did occur, attributing the core problem to individual behaviors rather than a comprehensive rejection of Israeli tourists.