The Israeli Embassy clarified the online media report claiming a group of Israeli tourists in Patong District, Phuket Province, dined and then refused to pay, stating this information is not true.
The Israeli Embassy in Thailand responded to social media reports alleging that a group of Israeli tourists dined at a restaurant in Patong District, Phuket, and left without paying. The embassy's statement said:
Dear members of the press,
The Embassy of Israel in Thailand wishes to clarify a social media report published on 19 August 2026 concerning an incident at a restaurant in Patong District, Phuket. The report stated that a group of tourists consumed food valued at about 8,000 baht and left without paying.
The report claimed the individuals involved were Israeli tourists and quickly spread widely across social media, attracting significant attention.
However, on 23 August 2026, Patong Police issued a statement clarifying the incident and the nationality of the tourists involved, stating that the individuals were not Israeli nationals but tourists from Saudi Arabia and Morocco.
This clarification is very important because earlier reports incorrectly identified the tourists as Israeli. The dissemination of unverified or unconfirmed information causes serious misunderstandings and damage, and it fosters prejudice and hostility toward Israeli tourists and the broader Israeli community.
The Embassy of Israel believes that reports involving tourists, especially those specifying nationality, should be carefully verified with relevant authorities before public release. The rapid spread of unverified information on social media unjustly exaggerates the impact on individuals and communities not involved.
Therefore, the Embassy respectfully requests media organizations, social media users, and the general public to exercise greater caution in verifying information before publishing or sharing such reports. If these reports remain on your digital platforms, the Embassy would greatly appreciate their removal.
The Embassy of Israel in Thailand thanks everyone for their understanding and cooperation on this matter.