Hundreds of people gathered outside Israel's embassy in Bangkok to call for foreign visitors, particularly Israelis, to show greater respect for Thai laws and culture. The protest was led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a well-known media figure and political activist, who expressed concerns about Israeli tourists violating local regulations, disturbing public order, and disrespecting traditional customs. Sondhi also called on Israel's ambassador to Thailand, Alona Fisher-Kamm, to understand that Thai hospitality does not mean allowing visitors to act without regard for local laws. Fisher-Kamm met with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to address the concerns and explore possible solutions. In a video message, Rami Teplitskiy, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli embassy, said the embassy is aware of the negative sentiments surrounding Israeli tourists in Thailand and is committed to maintaining a friendly relationship based on mutual respect. The embassy has already provided guidance to Israeli travelers about Thai laws and regulations, emphasizing that those who break the rules should be held accountable. This comes amid increased scrutiny of foreign visitors, especially those who overstay their visas or attempt to bypass property ownership restrictions in Thailand. Sondhi, who played a key role in the 2006 removal of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has long been critical of foreign nationals in Thailand, particularly Israelis. He cited specific incidents, including cases where Israeli tourists were involved in public disturbances or showed disrespect for local traditions. Thailand's economy relies heavily on tourism, and the government has recently introduced stricter measures to ensure visitors follow local norms. These efforts include faster deportation processes for those who break laws or engage in undesirable behavior. Israeli tourists contributed about $1.2 billion to Thailand's $48 billion tourism revenue last year, with over 277,000 Israelis visiting the country in the first eight months of 2026—a 7% increase from the same period the previous year. Recent high-profile cases include an Israeli man deported after threatening a zoo owner on Koh Samui, where a Palestinian flag had been displayed. Another incident involved a French citizen who also faced deportation after owning the zoo. In July, a confrontation between a Thai woman and a group of Italian students on a Bangkok train went viral, leading to widespread public anger and an eventual apology from the Italian embassy. During her meeting with the Thai Foreign Minister, Fisher-Kamm proposed creating a "do's and don'ts" guide for Israeli travelers, a demand raised by the protesters. Sihasak emphasized that Thailand cannot ignore actions by visitors that harm the country or its people. The Israeli embassy, however, noted that the public attention on these incidents may be disproportionate to the overall number of Israeli travelers in Thailand. Chabad of Thailand, an Orthodox Jewish organization mentioned in the protesters' open letter, did not immediately comment on the demonstration or the letter.