Safe haven narrows for Israeli tourists in Thailand amid local resentment

Israelis and local Thais told reporters the long-established route has become busy only since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. Many are fresh from nearly three years of mandatory military service during the ensuing war in Gaza. “After two or three years of serving, and all the missiles we get from the Arabs, we are looking for a peaceful place,” one Israeli from Haifa told reporters.

The influx has stirred discontent. Some local business owners and residents say Israeli visitors do not adapt their behaviour, with complaints of shouting at night, aggressive haggling and arguments over bills. Lerd, a motorcycle rental owner, said few local Thai people remain in Srithanu. “I worry about our future generations here,” he added.

Pattharachai Ruengsri, a Srithanu restaurant owner, acknowledged the economic benefits but said the behaviour may be keeping other foreigners away. "It is not discrimination, it's about individual behaviours."

Government figures released to local media reportedly show almost 70 per cent of 4761 businesses on the island have some level of foreign investment, with Israeli investors topping the list. Some are suspected of using Thai proxies to skirt ownership restrictions, a practice authorities have been cracking down on. In May, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Koh Phangan and said: Foreigners should arrive on Koh Phangan as happy visitors and must not be here to take over occupations from local people and cause them trouble.

The resentment has occasionally spilt into outright antisemitism. In September, protesters gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Bangkok holding signs with slogans such as “Keep Zionist Expansion out of Thailand” and “Thailand is Not Your Promised Land”. The Bangkok Post quoted unnamed organisers using the antisemitic trope that “these Jews are staying inside their mansions”. A French national and his Thai wife operating a zoo on Koh Samui displayed a Free Palestine sign and later, alleging harassment, barred Israelis from entry. The Frenchman and an Israeli man convicted of threatening him were ordered to leave the country. On Koh Phangan, a French national was accused of beating a 62-year-old Israeli mother and daughter after asking their nationality.

“It sucks that when people ask where you're from you have to hesitate,” said 36-year-old Ohad Lalot, holidaying on the island. “Some people can also be aggressive, even though they don’t know anything about me other than I was born in Israel.” Another young Israeli at the Flamingo Bar said Thailand was a safe option, unlike Europe, where, he said, people ask questions and call him a murderer.

Pattharachai, the restaurant owner, said of the war in Gaza: “There are two lenses. One is that they [Israelis] are the victims. The other is that killing children is wrong. I feel angry sometimes. I know many Israelis would not like that, either. But maybe some of them do.”