Israeli ambassador to Thailand plays down anti-Israeli protests

Israel's ambassador to Thailand, Alona Fisher-Kamm, has stated that there is a social media campaign aimed at creating divisions between Israelis and Thais. Thailand has historically been welcoming to Israelis, but recent anti-Israeli protests have raised concerns. Ambassador Fisher-Kamm emphasized the importance of avoiding the importation of Middle Eastern conflicts to Thailand.

Several protests have taken place, particularly in response to alleged instances of rude or inconsiderate behavior by Israeli tourists. The protests have been primarily focused on cultural differences and perceived disrespect. The Thai government has taken action, including ordering the deportation of a Frenchman for allegedly banning Israeli tourists from his zoo.

Despite the incidents, Fisher-Kamm noted a "culture gap" between Israelis and Thais, attributing some disrespectful behavior to this gap. She played down the incidents, suggesting that social media was amplifying them. The Israeli embassy has issued Hebrew-language brochures outlining conduct rules for visitors. Tourism remains crucial to Thailand's economy, though the ambassador clarified that tourists, regardless of nationality, must adhere to Thai laws and customs.