Illegal weapons, sex in public: Israeli tourists arrested at tourist spots in Thailand. “My money builds your country”, was the reply of a tourist

Thai authorities have made several arrests of Israeli citizens who broke the law, including a couple who committed sexual acts at a public waterfall, Thai and Israeli media reported.

Security agents at Phuket International Airport found a magazine containing 29 military-grade 5.56 caliber bullets in the luggage of a 26-year-old traveler.

The passenger, whose name has not been released, was preparing to board a flight to Koh Samui, also in southern Thailand. He was later charged with illegal possession of ammunition that cannot be legally authorized in Thailand, the Thai Examiner reported.

Under Thai law, the charge is punishable by up to ten years in prison, as well as fines of up to THB 2,000 ($620).

The incident is the latest in a wave of crimes committed by Israeli tourists in Thailand.

Just days before the arrest, Israel's ambassador to Thailand and the governor of Surat Thani province met to discuss issues involving Israeli citizens.

In recent weeks, local businesses and residents of Surat Thani have submitted a petition urging the authorities to address “Israeli activities that cause distress to local communities”.

On Wednesday, an Israeli couple was arrested in Surat Thani after committing sexual acts at the Wang Sai waterfall, Thaiger news reported. The couple allegedly committed the acts despite the presence of other tourists, some of whom recorded the incident and shared it on social media.

The incident sparked outrage among locals, prompting Koh Pha Ngan District Chief Suriya Boonphan to launch an investigation to locate the couple.

The man and woman were detained on November 5 and admitted to having sex at the waterfall.

The couple were then charged with “jointly committing a shameful act in public by exposing their bodies or engaging in obscene behaviour”.

In an unrelated incident earlier this month, Thai authorities detained Israeli national Osher Farhi, 22, who is wanted in his home country in connection with an armed robbery.

Incidents of Israelis clashing with locals have also gone viral on social media, with a video shared in May showing an Israeli tourist yelling at a restaurant employee.

After the employee told the tourist she was not welcome, the Israeli woman said, “My money is building your country.”

An estimated 460,000 Israelis visit Thailand each year, according to Israel's ambassador to the country. In the context of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, some Israelis have also chosen this Southeast Asian nation as a destination for rehabilitation centers – including many who participated in the attack on Gaza.

In January, the Hind Rajab Foundation urged Thai authorities to arrest Omri Nir, one of hundreds of Israelis who are the subject of a war crimes complaint filed at the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the organization.

The case came to light just two days after a meeting between Israel's ambassador to Thailand, Dr. Alona Fisher-Kamm, and Surat Thani City Governor Theerut Supawiboonphol. The meeting was held on November 4 at the Surat Thani Provincial Hall. The two officials discussed issues related to Israeli tourists and cooperation with Thai authorities.

During the discussion, Dr. Fisher-Kamm addressed reports of police investigations and monitoring of Israeli travelers in southern Thailand. She said most Israeli tourists visit the country responsibly and legally. “Only a small minority misbehave or break the law,” she said. “We fully support the Thai authorities taking legal action as they would with any other nationality.”

Governor Theerut replied that there is no discrimination against Israeli citizens in Thailand. He said law enforcement applies equally to all nationalities. At the same time, he emphasized that the province promotes tourism responsibly while maintaining public order.

Governor proposes new embassy hotline to strengthen Thailand-Israel cooperation and improve law enforcement

Meanwhile, Thai and Israeli authorities continued joint operations against suspected criminals. The recent collaboration resulted in the arrest of an Israeli fugitive wanted for armed robbery, threats, burglary and theft. The suspect was captured on Koh Samui following a request from the Office of the Police and Homeland Security Attaché at the Israeli Embassy. Thai police said the arrest was made in accordance with all legal procedures.

Twenty-two-year-old Osher Farhi was detained at Koh Samui International Airport last Sunday. He was detained before leaving Thailand.