Embassy concerns guidelines in response to situations in northeastern tourist towns
PUBLISHED: 22 Feb 2025 at 16: 03
After facing criticism for alleged disorderly behavior in the Pai city of Mae Hong Son state, the Embassy of Israel in Thailand has issued guidelines to encourage the great picture and respect of Jewish citizens in the country.
The Thai Embassy published a blog on its Facebook section on Friday with advice for how to behave while there. Many Thai individuals expressed concerns about the activities of some Israelis in the northern tourist town, particularly in relation to the construction of a Jewish temple, which some believed might indicate incursion.
Local officials have confirmed that the construction of the torah, a community center where religious services are also held, is permitted, and that all of the Israelis who were seen as causing problems were authorized visitors.
In reaction, the embassy advised its citizens to abide by Thai customs and laws to preserve the country’s good image and develop goodwill.
Among the recommendations were to avoid loud noises in open spaces, respect private property, agree with prospects laws, observe permitted visa durations, dress appropriately and join graciously with locals, including when bargaining at markets.
A report was included in the announcement that several Israelis have been deported from Thailand in recent weeks for local legal violations.
The embassy urged all visitors to maintain good relations and mutual respect between the two countries and to conduct themselves with dignity and emphasized that Israeli citizens have generally received a warm welcome in Thailand.
Immigration officers discovered no instances of Israeli citizens breaking the law at a recent chabad gathering in Pai. Around 200 to 300 Israeli nationals gathered there to pray, and they later enjoyed meals.
In recent weeks, Pai residents have reported a number of incidents involving Israeli citizens. Four men broke into the emergency room at Pai Hospital after barging in to see a fellow patient who was being treated there following a motorcycle accident, which was the most widely reported one.
In a social media discussion, a Facebook user who went by the name Wasu Yok Koysiripong commented,” I see many Thai netizens overreacting. What’s wrong with opening a Chabad house? Just because they’re coming in large numbers does not mean they’re taking over.
Another user, Hila Raviv Gozlan, wrote,” We need all the Chabad houses to print this guideline and share it to all visitors”.