Israel's Ambassador to Thailand Addresses Tourist Misconduct and Anti-Israel Sentiment

Israel's Ambassador to Thailand, Dr. Alona Fisher-Kamm, acknowledged a "truly serious problem" with the behavior of some Israeli tourists in Thailand, stating that "it feels like Israelis think they can do anything." She cited instances of Israelis starting quarrels, making noise at night, and playing loud music. This comes after a protest outside the Israeli embassy and a poll indicating 77% of Thai citizens have encountered or heard of inappropriate behavior by Israeli tourists.

Dr. Fisher-Kamm attributed the crisis partly to a 40% surge in Israeli tourists in 2025, a period when overall foreign tourist numbers declined, making Israelis more noticeable. She is actively engaging with Thai media to de-escalate tensions, working on two fronts: influencing Israeli tourist behavior and countering negative online narratives. The embassy and Foreign Ministry are urging Israeli travelers to respect Thai culture and laws, though Fisher-Kamm noted Israelis do not break laws more frequently than other nationalities.

She also addressed the online situation, stating that "noise is being deliberately amplified" regarding Israelis, often with "outright fakes" and the reposting of old stories. The ambassador believes "forces are behind this phenomenon" and pointed to a recent protest of about 500 people outside the embassy, which included "Freedom for Palestine!" chants and antisemitic slogans, suggesting motives beyond just tourist behavior.

The ambassador observed a shift in media inquiries, with journalists now linking the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to attitudes towards Israeli tourists and showing increased interest in antisemitism, a previously rare topic in Thailand. She expressed embarrassment over some Israeli tourist actions but also noted that Thai law enforcement has tightened measures for all tourists. She highlighted specific issues like illegal land acquisition, with six Israelis recently arrested for real estate fraud.

Dr. Fisher-Kamm appealed to Israelis to respect local culture, laws, and responsible behavior, emphasizing that while Thailand is open, beach behavior differs from city conduct. She stated that Thai authorities, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, understand the economic benefits of Israeli tourism and are not considering entry bans, aiming instead for mutual understanding and continued tourist flow.