National —
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra dismissed claims that Israeli tourists are attempting to occupy Mae Hong Son’s Pai district, stating the situation is not as reported and urging the public not to overreact.
Reports recently emerged on Thai social media that a large number of Israeli tourists residing in Pai, a once quiet market village, had established a synagogue for Jewish religious gatherings and are trying to occupy the district, with the synagogue reportedly off-limits to Thai nationals.
Local officials in Pai stated that Israeli tourists gather for religious activities at the synagogue every Friday and Saturday from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM, with around 100 to 180 Israeli attending the session. The premises are also equipped with gates, fences, CCTV, and employ private security workers alongside other Thai staff. They stated the synagogue doesn’t ban Thais, doesn’t throw parties, and is non political in response to online rumors and were, according to them, just peaceful Israeli tourists practicing their faith without infringing on anyone else.
According to official statistics, from January to the present, around 4,446 Israeli tourists have visited Pai, with almost all being short term tourists. This also was in response to online claims, which officials say are false, that over 30,000 Israelis are now living in Pai, with the confusion being that number was actually the total number of Israeli tourists who visited in the prior year.
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra came out to clarify that these claims of any sort of takeover were false and assured the public that Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul would visit the area next week to inspect the synagogue.
Anutin also responded to the controversy, dismissing claims that Israeli tourists had taken over hotels as synagogues or were putting up signs prohibiting Thai people from entering certain areas. He stated that unless they own the land, such restrictions are impossible in public spaces, restaurants, or hotels.
“If someone puts up a sign like that, we’ll simply remove it. Thais are allowed to go anywhere in their own country.” Anutin stated.
He urged the public not to overreact, stating that the idea of Israelis taking over Pai was baseless, misinformation, and false online rumors from fake accounts looking to divide people and cause controversy.
The rumors began after this story, in which four Israeli tourists were recently deported for alleged misbehavior at a Pai hospital. Thai officials stated that anyone who breaks Thailand’s rules and laws will be treated equally under the law and disciplined accordingly, but had nothing to do with any takeover.
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