Thai authorities have expressed growing frustration over the influx of foreign nationals, particularly Israelis, who enter the country as tourists, overstay their visas, and engage in business activities, including ventures deemed illegal by local law.
In one recent case, several young Israelis were arrested at a villa in Ban Sri Thanu on the island of Koh Phangan, known for its beachside bungalows and party culture. Police said the arrests were part of a wider operation targeting foreign nationals suspected of violating visa conditions. The men, reportedly recently discharged from military service, were accused of holding a drug-fueled party to mark the end of the Gaza war.
They face charges of drug possession and use, serious offences in Thailand, carrying penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to 1.5 million baht (approximately NIS 150,000).
The incident reflects Thailand’s stated “zero tolerance” policy on narcotics but also highlights growing tensions between local communities and foreign nationals, many of them Israeli, who have settled on Koh Phangan. The island has seen a spike in enforcement actions against businesses operated by foreigners, particularly those allegedly using Thai nationals as legal fronts to bypass ownership restrictions.
Local activists have warned that the island is becoming a “second Tel Aviv,” accusing foreign business operators of exploiting visa loopholes and ignoring zoning regulations.
Surge in visa extensions triggers crackdown.
According to local authorities, as of September 23, 2025, a total of 2,627 Israeli nationals had applied to extend their visas in the province. The figure includes 2,125 short-term tourist visa holders and 502 long-term visa holders. Among the latter were 181 business visas, 30 retirement visas, 152 student visas, 998 family-dependent visas, seven spousal visas, and 27 others.
Immigration authorities have launched a province-wide probe into foreign-owned businesses allegedly violating Thai business and labor laws. Investigators were instructed to examine whether repeated visa extensions were masking unpermitted work or business operations.
A police spokesperson confirmed that scrutiny would include efforts to determine whether Thai citizens were being used as figureheads in companies operated by foreign nationals.
Social media backlash and anti-Israel sentiment
Online criticism has surged in recent weeks, with several Thai-language social media posts calling attention to the expanding Israeli presence on Koh Phangan. A Facebook page titled “Save Koh Phangan” featured multiple posts expressing concern that the island was turning into another Pai, a northern Thai town known for its large population of foreign tourists and new-age retreats.
“In recent years, Israelis have opened spiritual centers and businesses here. Some have acted in ways that prompted authorities to investigate,” one post said.
Another user wrote, “Today, Israelis have almost taken over Koh Phangan. They use intermediaries to buy land near the sea, cut down trees, build without permits, and sell properties only to each other. Thais have nowhere left to live.”
The post added: “During the war in Gaza, discharged Israeli soldiers came here to relax. Some live freely and wildly. There’s even a mental health center on the island serving veterans.”
The same post accused Israelis of bribing local officials and building illegal venues near national parks. It also mentioned the existence of a Chabad center that provides food and religious services, as well as an Israeli-operated international school with over 90% Israeli enrollment.
Despite the negative sentiment, some observers believe the backlash is driven less by nationalism than by frustration over rising rents and competition with Israeli-owned businesses. Others claim the influx is harming the tourism industry by driving away European visitors.
Koh Phangan seen as haven for Israeli fugitives
In recent years, Thailand has increasingly become a destination for Israeli nationals seeking to evade legal issues back home. Police in the Koh Phangan and Koh Samui regions reported numerous arrests of Israeli citizens involved in a range of offences, including operating unlicensed car rental services, working illegally, or serving as unregistered tour guides.
Authorities recently launched a task force to examine corporate land ownership, review foreign shareholder structures, and strengthen enforcement of labor and immigration laws. The effort includes cooperation between police, immigration, and labor officials. Officials have acknowledged that illegal operations are sometimes shielded by corruption, with local bribes allegedly enabling foreign-run businesses to operate freely.
In one incident that resurfaced in local media, a video showed an Israeli tourist on Koh Phangan shouting, “My money built your country,” after being asked to remove her shoes before entering a shop. The clip has been widely shared on Thai social media.
“There are many Israelis running businesses aimed at other Israelis, such as villa rentals. They could be in trouble now,” one Israeli resident told Walla. “Thais don’t like foreigners running tourism-related operations. Legally, you can’t do that unless you’re married to a Thai national or operating within very narrow guidelines. Authorities say they will begin inspecting these businesses island-wide.”
He added, “This isn’t limited to Koh Phangan. Pai and Koh Samui have similar problems. But enforcement varies by region. Some people dislike Israelis because of the war, others because of anti-Israel news coverage, especially on Al Jazeera. But it’s important to stress that Thais themselves are not antisemitic. Thailand is also trying to attract Israeli tourists to offset the decline in Chinese visitors.”
Embassy issues code of conduct
In response to growing complaints, the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok earlier this year issued a list of behavioral guidelines aimed at Israeli tourists. The move followed a number of deportations in the city of Pai and increased scrutiny from local authorities.
The embassy urged Israelis not to overstay their visas and warned against working illegally. “Thai people respect and warmly welcome Israeli tourists. Let’s maintain this relationship,” the statement read. “Don’t let isolated incidents tarnish the reputation of the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who visit Thailand every year.”
The embassy’s advisory has since been circulated by guesthouses and other businesses, some of which have posted it on their premises.