About 150 to 200 people gathered on Friday in a Thai resort town to protest misbehavior by tourists, with a particular focus on Israelis.
The protest on a beach in Patong, on the island of Phuket in Thailand, was titled “Save Phuket.” While organizers said it opposed inappropriate conduct by tourists in general, reports in Thai and Hebrew media say the protest emphasized criticism of Israelis, and Israel as a country.
“We do not want Phuket to be portrayed negatively in the news because of violence, disrespect towards business operators, violations of the law, refusing to pay for food or services, or certain individuals receiving special privileges,” one of the organizers, Saichon Nuchet, told the Straits Times.
He added, “We are not targeting anyone. Those who respect Thai law and culture and behave appropriately are doing the right thing. We can coexist without any problems.”
The protest came as the Thai government is cracking down on misbehavior by tourists, who are an engine of the Southeast Asian nation’s economy. The country has long been a popular destination for Israelis, and according to the Straits Times, last year some 420,000 Israelis entered Thailand, and some 30,000 live there full-time.
