The rising presence of Israeli tourists in Mae Hong Son’s Pai district is creating unease among the locals, particularly after several incidents involving Israeli nationals in recent weeks.
In one incident, four Israeli individuals were caught vandalizing the emergency room at Pai Hospital. Their actions led to a fine of 3,000 baht each, the revocation of their tourist visas, and deportation back to Israel.
Additionally, two Israelis were recently detained for unlawfully working as singers at a local restaurant, intensifying local concerns about foreigners illegally occupying jobs in this well-visited area.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Wichai Panna, an officer with the immigration police, reported that these two Israelis are being held, awaiting a deportation ruling from the head of the Immigration Bureau.
Once the deportation order is authorized, they will be sent to Bangkok to proceed with the process.
Pai has attracted a significant number of Israeli visitors, with estimates suggesting up to 30,000 Israelis might be residing in the area, surpassing the local population of 21,000.
It has come to light that several businesses in Pai, including multiple motorcycle training schools, are operated illegally by Israelis.
Concerns were also raised about a synagogue newly erected in the Pai district, which some locals claim is frequently used for large gatherings.
In response to these allegations, police conducted an inspection of the synagogue, situated directly behind the Pai police station on February 11, finding no proof of illegal activities or significant events.
Despite the lack of incriminating evidence from the search, Nanthiwat Samart, former deputy director of the National Intelligence Agency, expressed on Facebook his concerns about the situation, emphasizing that the influx of Israeli tourists wasn’t the main problem, but rather the local residents’ worries.
He called on the Interior Ministry and security agencies to investigate these grievances and take necessary measures to alleviate the locals’ concerns.
Addressing these issues, Orna Sagiv, the Israeli ambassador to Thailand, expressed regret over the misconduct of some Israeli tourists and announced her plans to visit Pai to discuss with officials, local entrepreneurs, and the Israeli community.
She reminded everyone that all tourists must abide by the law, expressing hope that these incidents wouldn’t tarnish the overall image of Israelis in Thailand.
Last year, Thailand welcomed over 280,000 Israeli visitors, as reported by the ambassador.
