Israeli tourists face unease in Thailand and rally in Bangkok
Thailand’s long-running debate over Israeli visitors has spilt from tourist islands to the streets of Bangkok. Some 200 people demonstrated outside Israel’s embassy on Thursday, turning complaints of misconduct into a wider protest against Israel and its war in Gaza.
Veteran activist Sondhi Limthongkul led the demonstration, accusing some Israeli tourists and residents of causing disturbances, refusing to pay bills and ignoring local customs. Protesters also called for scrutiny of alleged land purchases and Jewish community centres, according to the Bangkok Post.
Psi Scott Joins Sondhi’s Israeli Embassy Rally
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) September 10, 2026
Siranudh «Psi» Scott, a marine conservationist and heir to the family behind Singha beer, joined Sondhi Limthongkul’s rally outside the Israeli embassy in Bangkok on Thursday. He wore a T-shirt bearing the words «Not for Sale.»… pic.twitter.com/JE92qSlwvo
Complaints reach diplomatic level
The rally came after talks between Thailand’s foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and Israeli ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm over issues reported in Phuket and Phang Nga.
Sihasak said some visitors had disrupted local communities but warned against lumping Israelis together. «Thai law applies to everyone, regardless of nationality,» he said. «Thai law applies to everyone, regardless of nationality,» he said.
Israel has offered to disseminate advice on Thai laws and customs through its embassy, airlines and travel companies. The answer seems to be that both governments are trying to prevent isolated disputes hardening into wider hostility.
Read more: Visits by Uzbek citizens to Thailand doubled in early 2025
WATCH: Thai protesters rallied in front of the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok against inappropriate land acquisition strategies. The protesters, led by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, accused Israeli nationals of circumventing restrictions in order to purchase large amounts of land pic.twitter.com/bji2aJTBQK
— Reuters Asia (@ReutersAsia) September 10, 2026
Deportation case sharpens debate
Tensions had already risen after an Israeli man became the first person targeted under Thailand’s tougher deportation policy for foreign visitors.
Yaacov Ohayon was ordered to leave the country after a court on Koh Samui convicted him of threatening another person. He pleaded guilty and received a suspended 15-day prison sentence and a 5,000-baht fine.
A French man involved in the same dispute was also ordered to leave.
The rally has now pushed the argument beyond individual criminal cases. What began as local frustration over tourist behaviour has now become a more visible political issue, complicated by anger over Gaza and the openly antisemitic language used by some demonstrators.
Read more: Thailand ends visa-free entry for Uzbek citizens from 15 September
