Israeli Tourist Faces Hostility and Discrimination at Bangkok Restaurant

Ofri Ben Yitzhak, an Israeli woman from Ramat Gan, encountered a hostile situation while traveling alone in Bangkok shortly before returning to Israel. After ordering a meal at a small burger restaurant in a local market area, she noticed a sign on the entrance forbidding Israeli tourists from entering. Upon revealing her nationality to the restaurant manager, his demeanor changed abruptly, becoming aggressive and demanding she leave immediately. He also charged her an inflated price for a soft drink, which she suspected was a deliberate attempt to exploit her because she was Israeli.

Ben Yitzhak described feeling threatened and fearful that the manager or his associates might follow her back to her hotel. She expressed shock and sadness that such blatant antisemitism still occurs openly in 2026, especially in a place popular with Israeli tourists. This incident echoes a similar case reported last year on the island of Koh Phangan, where a restaurant posted a sign banning Israelis, prompting Israeli travelers to respond with negative online reviews.

Thailand remains a top destination for Israeli tourists, with over 181,000 Israelis visiting from the start of 2026 through early July. The Thai Tourism Authority recently announced plans to enhance cooperation with the Israeli embassy to support this growing tourism flow, which is expected to reach 440,000 visitors by year-end.