Israel does not want to see the Israeli-Palestinian conflict “imported” to Thailand, its ambassador to the Southeast Asian country told AFP on Tuesday, whose welcoming reputation has been undermined by recent incidents and demonstrations tinged with anti-Semitism.
“It is still very difficult for me to use the word 'anti-Semitic' here in Thailand,” said Alona Fisher-Kamm. “It’s really, really far from their mentality, their tolerance and their way of seeing things.” On several occasions in recent weeks, demonstrators have gathered under the windows of its embassy in central Bangkok to shout their discontent with the Israelis.
During the last rally, led by the leader of the ultra-royalist “yellow shirt” movement Sondhi Limthongkul, some brandished signs “Jews out” or “You Jews don't understand Thai culture, so get out”. Protests also took place on the tourist island of Phuket, where a dinner organized to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, was canceled at the last minute due to fears of violence. Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, in charge of the fight against anti-Semitism at the US State Department, said on X that he was “deeply concerned about the rise of anti-Semitic rhetoric in Thailand”.
“Cultural gap”
The demonstrators denounce repeated incivility, according to them, from Israeli tourists, who do not always respect local customs. “I think there is a form of cultural gap,” admitted Alona Fisher-Kamm, referring to “cases of lack of respect” or “inappropriate behavior”. Several businesses have decided to close their doors to Israelis, such as this animal park on the island of Koh Samui whose French manager is now facing expulsion.
Israelis, among other nationalities, are also accused of circumventing, through Thai nominees, restrictions imposed on foreigners for acquiring land or operating businesses. Several cases reported by the Thai media have recently fueled controversy, notably that of an illegal school on the island of Koh Phangan – nicknamed “little Tel Aviv” – or that of a Jewish cemetery which allegedly buried bodies after the expiration of its license.
“There is a kind of campaign on social networks that seeks to create a rift between the Israelis and the Thais,” said the ambassador. She was received last week at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss “the measures to be taken to limit these incidents” and “to ensure that the conflict in the Middle East is not imported here”.
Rules of good conduct
“Tourists are welcome in Thailand, but that does not mean, whatever their nationality, that they can do what they want there,” declared the head of Thai diplomacy Sihasak Phuangketkeow after their meeting. “What we want to avoid is that (...) it ends up affecting relations between our two countries,” he added, recalling that a bilateral agreement allowed tens of thousands of Thais to work in Israel, particularly in agriculture.
The Israeli embassy has published brochures in Hebrew recalling the rules of good conduct, posted on social networks and distributed by consular services, community structures, airlines and travel agencies. More than 420,000 Israelis - more than 4% of the population - visited Thailand last year, a particularly popular destination for young people at the end of their compulsory military service.
“It’s a beautiful country. People are tolerant, warm, intelligent and welcoming, including towards Israelis,” said Alona Fisher-Kamm. “It's no secret that Europe may no longer be as attractive as before for Israeli tourists,” she noted. “They try to be as far away from the conflict as possible.”
