The ‘Protect Phuket Land’ group held the rally and discussion forum at Loma Park, Patong, from 2pm, with local residents, business operators and others who said they had been affected by problems linked to tourism taking part.
The organisers said the protest was intended to highlight concerns about the behaviour of some foreign tourists and the impact of some foreign business interests on local communities.
The group said its campaign was not intended to generalise about all foreigners, but focused on cases involving individuals or businesses that it believes have failed to respect Thai law or have affected local residents.
The group called for laws to be enforced fairly and more strictly, while urging foreigners entering or residing in Thailand to respect Thai culture, traditions and the local way of life.
The event had been expected to attract about 500 people, according to promotional material circulated ahead of the gathering.
CALLS FOR EQUAL ENFORCEMENT
The protest follows growing public discussion in Phuket about the behaviour of some foreign visitors and residents, as well as concerns about foreign involvement in local businesses.
The group specifically referred to cases involving some Israeli nationals, but stressed that its demands should apply to foreigners generally rather than being directed at an entire nationality.
Its main demands were that foreigners respect Thai law, culture and traditions, refrain from behaviour that disturbs residents or affects the rights of others, and that relevant government agencies address complaints seriously and fairly.
The organisers said Phuket’s future as an international tourism destination depended on Thais and foreigners being able to live and work alongside one another while respecting the same laws and each other’s rights.
The protest was preceded by a request to Patong Police Station.
On Monday (Aug 24), group representative Saichol Noochet and other members submitted a letter seeking permission to use the area for the gathering.
Patong Police approved the event, but under strict conditions, including that no Palestine flags be shown.
MP BACKS RULE OF LAW, REJECTS BLANKET MEASURES
Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee said he had been invited to attend the forum, titled ‘Save Phuket, Save Patong ‒ Respect Thai Law’.
In a statement about the event, Mr Chalermpong said the forum provided an opportunity for the public to raise concerns about inappropriate behaviour by some tourists and business operations by certain capital groups that could affect local people.
He said tourism remained important to Phuket, bringing income and economic opportunities to the province, but acknowledged that problems involving visitors who do not respect Thai law needed to be addressed.
He also raised concerns about capital groups allegedly creating unfair competition for small and medium-sized local businesses.
Mr Chalermpong said he supported the rule of law and freedom and rejected discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, religion or culture.
“Most importantly, we must live together under the same laws and respect the dignity of all human beings,” he said.
He added that tourists and investors coming to Thailand should respect Thai law and the culture of the host country.
“If there are offenders... Legal action must be taken, but enforcement must be based on the facts, the severity of the offense, and the judicial process in determining punishment,” he said.
Mr Chalermpong also said he disagreed with immediately resorting to the most severe measures, including deportation, without considering the facts and legal process.
“I disagree with jumping straight to the most drastic measures, such as deportation,” he said, while noting that deportation could be appropriate where required by law or in serious cases with clear justification.
NOMINEE CONCERNS
Mr Chalermpong said the problems facing Phuket were not necessarily caused by a lack of laws, but by whether existing laws were being enforced seriously and equally.
He warned that allowing lax enforcement, money or benefits to override the law, or officials to neglect their duties could deepen problems and create unfairness for people who follow the rules.
He specifically referred to concerns over bribery, the issuance of identity cards to foreigners and nominee business practices.
“The solution must address the root cause, through rigorous, transparent, and verifiable investigation,” he said.
“If wrongdoing is found, legal action must be taken without exception, regardless of whether the individual is Thai, a foreigner, a tourist, or any other business owner.”
Mr Chalermpong said Phuket should remain open to tourists and investment that benefited the province, but insisted that everyone should follow the same rules.
“Protecting Phuket is not about blocking anyone, but about ensuring that the people of Phuket, local businesses, and tourists can coexist fairly and respectfully,” he said.
RESPONSIBILITY ALSO LIES WITH THAIS
One of the speakers at the forum, tourism-sector worker Anchalee, known as “Jee Gi” (where ‘Jee’ means ‘sister’), argued that Phuket’s problems should not automatically be blamed on foreign tourists.
She said responsibility should also be examined among Thai people, business operators and government agencies involved in issuing permits and regulating foreigners entering or living in the country.
Ms Anchalee questioned the effectiveness of Thailand’s visa and immigration systems, particularly in relation to foreigners who remain in the country for extended periods, including people working online.
She also said some Thai people could contribute to the problems by renting accommodation to foreigners or otherwise facilitating their entry and residence without sufficient scrutiny.
While acknowledging that many foreigners contribute to Phuket’s economy and generate income for local businesses, she said some activities could also affect residents through housing costs, living expenses and the use of public spaces.
She cited vehicle use and driving by some foreigners as examples of behaviour that could inconvenience or create risks for other road users.
Ms Anchalee said Phuket needed a clear system for screening, monitoring and regulating foreigners who live in or engage in activities in the province if tourism was to continue on a large scale.
However, she stressed that the solution should not be to oppose or drive away all foreigners.
Instead, she called for a broader examination of the responsibilities of government agencies, Thai residents, businesses and foreigners themselves.
CONFRONTATIONS
Another speaker, taxi operator Chonphat, told the gathering about what he described as a confrontation with foreign tourists while working in Patong.
Mr Chonphat said Phuket was effectively his second home because he worked there to support his family and children.
He recounted an incident involving a family of four who had approached him outside a hotel in Patong and asked about transportation to a restaurant.
According to his account, another group of tourists later asked to join them. Mr Chonphat said he explained that his vehicle was a private vehicle and that he could not take the additional passengers.
He said that as he was leaving the taxi queue, he heard the first group calling out and stopped to find out what had happened.
Mr Chonphat alleged that the foreign father in the family verbally insulted and threatened him. He further alleged that the man had earlier spat at him while he was driving.
Mr Chonphat said the incident left him angry and stressed and affected his sleep, but gave no reason why the family and the man in particular had singled him out.
He said he later encountered the same group again on the beach, but no physical confrontation took place.
At the end of his speech, Mr Chonphat urged foreign tourists to respect Thai laws, regulations and local people, particularly those working in Phuket’s tourism and service industries.
The incident he described was presented as his personal account at the forum. There was no information provided at the event from the other party or relevant authorities independently confirming the details of the alleged confrontation.
ANTI-ISRAEL SENTIMENT
The Patong protest comes amid a wider and increasingly contentious debate in Phuket over foreign visitors, with concerns about inappropriate behaviour becoming intertwined with growing anti-Israel sentiment.
While organisers of the ‘Protect Phuket Land’ gathering have repeatedly said their concerns are about the behaviour of foreigners rather than all nationalities, Israeli tourists have become a particular focus of the campaign by some members of the community.
The issue was highlighted publicly by Komol Dumlak, chairman of the Islamic Committee of Phuket Province, imam of the Phuket Provincial Central Mosque and a member of the Central Islamic Committee, who said he supported the gathering.
Mr Komol said the movement was about security rather than religion and described it as opposition to what he called the behaviour of Israeli tourists.
He referred to alleged incidents involving Israeli visitors, including claims of vandalism, unpaid bills and inappropriate behaviour, while also raising wider political and religious issues connected to Israel and the war in Gaza.
Mr Komol said the gathering was intended to keep foreigners “within the rules” and described it as a demonstration of opposition to what he called a Jewish influx into Phuket.
He also made broader claims about Jewish people and Israel, including allegations of indoctrination and claims that Jews held non-Jews in contempt. He linked these claims to the war in Gaza and to what he described as the influence of Zionists internationally.
When asked whether religion was involved, Mr Komol rejected that characterisation.
“No, no. There’s no religion involved. It’s about security and what’s happening in the province,” he said, adding that he considered the behaviour being discussed “unacceptable” and in need of action.
Mr Komol also acknowledged that journalists should examine the issue from both sides and said the debate should focus on conduct affecting Phuket rather than the wider conflicts in the Middle East.
His comments came after anti-Israel imagery appeared in promotional material for the Patong gathering, including a crossed-out Israeli flag and slogans opposing Israeli policies. Police nevertheless approved the event on the condition that it remained peaceful and lawful, warning that violations could result in the gathering being terminated and legal action being taken.
Of note, police supervised entry to the event area, and only a handful of people held up posters showing images of the Israel flag being burned.
The rest of the posters held up by people were better focused on calling on foreigners to respect Thai law and culture.
TOUGHER GOVERNMENT STANCE
The controversy has developed alongside a significant change in the government’s approach to foreign visitors accused of serious misconduct.
A new Prime Minister’s Office regulation took effect yesterday (Aug 28), giving authorities additional powers to deal with foreigners considered to have threatened public order, violated Thai law, disrespected Thai culture or caused hardship to Thai citizens and other visitors.
The measures also cover foreigners who enter or remain in Thailand unlawfully, work illegally or operate businesses illegally, as well as certain criminal offences.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the government would work with the Interior Ministry, Tourist Police Bureau and Immigration Bureau to enforce a “zero tolerance” approach towards offending tourists.
Under the new measures, foreigners found to be threatening public safety or causing disturbances can have their visas revoked and face detention, removal and deportation proceedings. Those deported can also be blacklisted from returning to Thailand.
The government has stressed that the measures are aimed at people who break the law or cause serious problems, rather than foreigners generally.
