PHUKET, Thailand – A restaurant bill dispute in Phuket involving a group of foreign tourists who allegedly refused to pay an 8,000-baht bill did not involve Israeli tourists, the Embassy of Israel in Thailand has confirmed. The incident, which occurred at a restaurant in Patong, was widely circulated on social media from August 19, with reports initially identifying the tourists as Israeli nationals. However, Patong Police clarified on August 23 that the tourists involved were actually from Saudi Arabia and Morocco, not Israel.
The Embassy of Israel issued a statement on August 27 confirming the correction and urging media outlets and social media users to verify information before sharing it. The embassy said the incorrect report had spread rapidly online and warned that publishing unverified information, particularly regarding a person’s nationality, could cause serious misunderstandings and damage.
It also expressed concern that inaccurate reporting could fuel prejudice or hostility toward Israeli tourists and the Israeli community in Thailand. The embassy called on media organizations, social media users and the public to carefully check information with relevant authorities before identifying the nationality of people involved in incidents.
The original incident concerned a group of tourists who reportedly ordered food worth about 8,000 baht at a restaurant in Patong but allegedly refused to pay the bill. Police were subsequently called to the restaurant and took the individuals to the police station for further proceedings. The embassy’s clarification means that the tourists involved were Saudi Arabian and Moroccan nationals, and not Israeli visitors as initially reported.
