Thailand has urged Israel to ensure its citizens respect local laws and customs after a series of incidents involving Israeli visitors fueled tensions in some of the Southeast Asian nation’s most popular tourist destinations.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said he had a “frank discussion” with Israeli Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm on Tuesday about concerns involving some Israeli nationals. They included entrepreneurs suspected of using Thai nominees to circumvent foreign-ownership restrictions, and tourists who have caused friction with local communities in Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Phuket.
“Thailand is a country that welcomes tourists, but at the same time, that doesn’t mean tourists, regardless of nationality, can do whatever they want,” Sihasak told reporters in Bangkok after the meeting. He said visitors should “respect Thai traditions, culture and local ways of life.”
AloJapan.com