As war-weary Israeli reservists head to Thailand, poor behavior could spoil relations
A culture clash has left residents of a resort town complaining about travelers from the Jewish state, with the issue escalating to the Thai Interior Ministry
PAI, Thailand — With its natural hot springs, jungle waterfalls, and lush green valleys, northern Thailand’s serene mountain town of Pai has for years been a peaceful destination for travelers seeking respite. But this season, a dramatic surge in disruptive tourist behavior — primarily attributed to Israeli visitors — has brought local business owners to their wits’ end and led to calls to limit the number of Israelis permitted to visit Thailand.
“They come together, eat a lot, order more… and then they run away,” alleges Rennie, the owner of a small café in Pai who has been running her business for over a decade. With visible frustration, she recounts multiple incidents in which Israeli tourists consumed food worth hundreds of baht and then refused to pay.
From interviews with local Thais and longer-term Israeli tourists, the current tension appears to be a recent development. According to 2024 statistics, Pai welcomed 221,776 foreign tourists, with British visitors leading at 39,390 and Israeli nationals ranking second at 31,735.
According to Yaniv Grinburg, 47, who moved to Pai with his wife two years ago and started a WhatsApp group for longer-term Israelis, “When we arrived in Pai, there were only three other Israeli families. There were occasionally people who came to visit and passed through. But this year, a swarm has arrived.”
The rise of Israeli travelers this year can be seen as a knock-on effect of Israel’s grueling war in Gaza, with many young Israelis choosing Thailand after completing military service or reserve duty.
Additionally, this year an Israeli “forest school” relocated from Goa to Pai, bringing young families with children. The new school, and the recent construction of a security wall surrounding the local Chabad house — one of seven in Thailand — has led to an increased sense amongst Pai locals that Israelis are here to permanently resettle and change the small town’s character.
Cultural clashes and misunderstandings
Part of the tension is rooted in cultural differences. Grinberg explains that “in Thai culture, there’s a concept called kreng jai, where they are very accommodating and absorbing, and don’t confront and aren’t direct. And then what happens is that at some point they can’t take any more and it explodes.”
The problematic behaviors commonly associated with Israeli tourists include loud socializing late into the night, inappropriate clothing, aggressive gestures, arguments, and haggling — practices that may cause discomfort in other parts of the world but are wholly unfamiliar and unwelcome in Thai culture.
“The core of the problem isn’t about race, religion, or nationality — it’s about behavior,” says D’Tom Tomarito, a member of the local Tourist Police who has been working overtime dealing with complaints. “This issue isn’t exclusive to Israelis; if any group, regardless of where they come from, acts in this manner, it would be equally problematic.”
Official response and investigation
Despite official calls to distinguish between Pai’s problems with Israeli tourists and anti-Zionist or antisemitic sentiment, matters have become blurred in the local Thai press, on social media, and in graffiti found in Pai.
There, popular calls are heard to prevent a Jewish takeover of “Pai-lestine,” or the transformation of Pai into a new “promised land.” Stickers around town appear to satirically advertise Pai as a location for “taking a break from genocide to party.”
Due to the topic’s incessant coverage in the local media, the issue escalated to national attention, with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressing the controversy directly. In February, she dismissed some circulating reports as misinformation, including claims that an Israeli-owned property had posted signs banning Thais from entering and that over 30,000 Israelis had moved to Pai.
“Hold on a moment,” Paetongtarn said. “We’ve already verified that this is not true.”
While the Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment for this story, the Israeli Embassy in Thailand released a statement on February 21 addressing the situation.
“In the past few weeks, there have been several incidents involving the behavior of Israeli tourists, leading Thai authorities to take strict measures, especially in Pai,” the embassy wrote, noting that “these events have negatively impacted the image of Israeli tourists and may affect the warm reception Israelis receive in Thailand.”
The statement went on to provide detailed guidelines for appropriate behavior, including maintaining quiet in public spaces, respecting local customs, and dressing appropriately. “The Thai people respect and warmly welcome Israeli tourists. Let’s maintain this relationship,” the embassy urged, adding that several Israelis had recently been deported for violating these guidelines.
When asked about the scope of these enforcement actions, Thai immigration and police officials declined to cite specific statistics for the number of Israelis who have been charged with crimes or deported, citing privacy concerns.
Nevertheless, the situation has prompted official action. National police chief Kittharath Punpetch issued a seven-day deadline for officers to investigate foreign nationals living in Pai for alleged illegal activities and public disturbances. Immigration, the Tourist Police, and local authorities have been instructed to coordinate efforts.
“All police stations were asked to investigate whether appropriate legal action was taken against foreign nationals found violating the law,” said police spokesman Lt. Gen. Achayon Kraithong.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Pai’s Chabad house on February 26 to view the situation firsthand and stated that reports of an Israeli “takeover” of Pai were false. “I’m assured that these [Israeli] visitors obey the law and pose no threat to the local community,” he said.
Seeking solutions as high season ends
As the “burning season” approaches in northern Thailand, some residents hope the natural break in tourism will allow tensions to subside, as smoke from farmers burning their fields causes infamously low air quality and tourists flee.
“Next month will be the smoke season. Everyone will go south,” notes Wood, a Thai bar owner who temporarily displayed a “No Israelis” sign that has since been removed at police request.
Grinberg shares this cautious optimism, believing “things will calm down” and that “maybe all the bad publicity that Pai is getting will distance Israelis from it a bit.” He and other community members have been working with the Tourist Police to promote cultural understanding through initiatives such as distributing educational flyers and organizing community service projects, including park cleanups and volunteering at a local Burmese orphanage.
The Immigration Bureau’s threat to revoke permits of foreign nationals “whose behavior posed a risk to society, affecting peace and public safety” signals potential long-term consequences for Israeli tourism in Thailand. With a police investigation underway and ministerial-level attention, the situation has clearly escalated beyond local concerns.
For now, business owners like Rennie continue to welcome visitors while hoping for a more respectful cultural exchange.
“In Thailand, we work really hard,” she says, noting that many of her workers earn “just 300 baht [roughly NIS 30, or $9] per workday.”
She understands young travelers’ desire to celebrate with friends: “When I was young, I felt like that. If I went to another country and met friends from my country, I would really enjoy and be happy.”
But Rennie hopes they can find a balance: “You can enjoy, but with… respect within the limit.”
“I just want someone who can help and understand how we feel,” Rennie adds, hoping younger visitors will learn to appreciate Thai culture. “Maybe they’re young, they didn’t know, and just came for the first time to travel. I hope they will understand.”
The Times of Israel Community.