Some Israelis not rushing to leave Thailand

‘Once they come to the main street I’ll think it’s time to leave Bangkok’.

By ZOE FOX
 Despite the Foreign Ministry’s increased travel warning to Bangkok, some Israelis in Thailand are not rushing to leave.
The Foreign Ministry warned Israelis not to travel to Bangkok Friday, after violent protests in the Thai capital. On Saturday, the ministry increased the severity of its warning, urging Israelis in Bangkok to stay indoors until the violence cooled down.
“It’s kind of quiet because many people ran away, but I don’t feel the need yet,” Jerusalem native Omry David told The Jerusalem Post Sunday on the telephone.  “I’ve seen [the protesters] next to a mall just standing there not doing anything.”
David has been travelling in Thailand for three weeks, most of that in Bangkok. He only plans to continue traveling once he receives a visa to India.
“Once they come to the main street I’ll think it’s time to leave Bangkok,” said David, referring to Khauson Road, one of the most popular destinations for Israeli travelers in Bangkok.
A second-time traveler to Bangkok, Tel Aviv resident Gony Tomer, said the streets were empty compared to her first visit to Thailand two months ago.
 “Yesterday I heard from a few Thai people that they are afraid. I think they’re more afraid than the tourists. Maybe they’re right, maybe they know better,” said Tomer.
Tomer said she took the travel warning to heart and is staying away from crowds and dangerous areas although she doesn’t intend to leave Bangkok or stay indoors.
“We aren’t changing our whole life, we just don’t go to the dangerous areas and try to be careful,” she added.
Tomer and David both know of Israelis who were planning to travel to Bangkok, but are now afraid and reconsidering their plans.
“I think some people are scared because of what they see it on the TV, but I haven’t seen anything happening around here,” said David.