Israeli Ambassador on Anti-Semitism and Tourism in Thailand

MGR Online•International•13h ago

Reader Briefing

The Israeli Ambassador to Thailand met with the Thai Foreign Minister to address rising tensions and behavioral issues involving Israeli tourists.

•Israeli Ambassador Alona Fischer-Kamm met with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to minimize negative impacts of current tensions.
•Protests against Israelis have occurred in Thailand, including at the Israeli Embassy and in Phuket.
•Allegations against Israeli nationals include inappropriate behavior and the use of Thai nominees to bypass land and business ownership laws.
•The Israeli Embassy has produced Hebrew brochures outlining conduct guidelines for visitors to Thailand.

•Protesters led by Sonthi Limthongkul have gathered at the Israeli Embassy with signs demanding Jews leave Thailand.
•A Jewish New Year celebration in Phuket was canceled at the last minute due to concerns over potential violence.
•Yehuda Kaplan, US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, expressed deep concern over increasing anti-Semitic discourse in Thailand.
•The Thai government deported a French man who banned Israeli tourists from a zoo in Koh Samui for inciting racial and religious division.
•Alona Fischer-Kamm acknowledged a cultural gap and some instances of inappropriate behavior by Israelis in Thailand.
•Israeli citizens are accused of illegally operating a school on Koh Phangan, an area they call Little Tel Aviv, and illegally burying bodies in a cemetery.
•More than 420,000 Israelis visited Thailand last year, often including young people completing mandatory military service.
•Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that inaction regarding tourist behavior could affect bilateral relations, noting a bilateral agreement allows tens of thousands of Thai workers in Israel.

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Alona Fischer-Kamm

"We must cooperate to ensure that the conflict in the Middle East does not spill over into Thailand."

เราต้องร่วมมือกันเพื่อให้มั่นใจว่าความขัดแย้งในตะวันออกกลางจะไม่ลุกลามเข้ามายังประเทศไทย

Sihasak Phuangketkeow

"The fact that we welcome tourists does not mean that they, regardless of their nationality, can do whatever they want in Thailand."

การที่เราต้อนรับนักท่องเที่ยวไม่ได้หมายความว่าพวกเขา ไม่ว่าจะมาจากชาติใดก็ตาม จะสามารถทำอะไรก็ได้ตามใจชอบในประเทศไทย

Alona Fischer-Kamm(อโลนา ฟิชเชอร์-คัมม์)

The Israeli Ambassador to Thailand.

Sonthi Limthongkul(สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล)ℹ️

A leader of protests against Israelis in Thailand.

Yehuda Kaplan(เยฮูดา คาพลูน)

The US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism of the US Department of State.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow(สีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว)ℹ️

The Foreign Minister of Thailand.

Israeli Embassy(สถานทูตอิสราเอล)ℹ️

The diplomatic mission of Israel in Thailand that produced conduct brochures for visitors.

US Department of State(กระทรวงการต่างประเทศสหรัฐฯ)ℹ️

The US government agency employing the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.

AFP(เอเอฟพี)

The news agency that interviewed the Israeli Ambassador.

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

A popular tourist island where a Jewish New Year celebration was canceled.

Koh Samui(เกาะสมุย)ℹ️

A location where a French man was deported for banning Israeli tourists from a zoo.

Koh Phangan(เกาะพะงัน)ℹ️

A location where Israelis are accused of running an illegal school and are referred to as Little Tel Aviv.