Phuket –
The Embassy of Israel in Thailand has issued a formal clarification regarding reports that tourists from Israel failed to pay a restaurant bill in Patong, Phuket. The embassy stressed that the individuals involved were not Israeli nationals, countering widespread claims circulating online.
The incident, which gained traction on social media on August 19th, 2026, alleged that a group of tourists consumed food worth approximately 8,000 baht before leaving without payment. Early reports incorrectly identified the group as Israeli, sparking significant public attention and criticism.
On August 23rd, 2026, Patong Police released an official statement confirming that the tourists in question were from Saudi Arabia and Morocco, not Israel. The embassy stated that the misreporting had caused unnecessary misunderstanding and risked fueling prejudice against Israeli visitors and the broader Israeli community.
In its statement, the embassy urged media outlets, social media users, and the public to exercise greater caution when sharing unverified information, particularly when nationality is involved. It noted that false claims can spread rapidly online, leading to reputational harm for individuals and communities with no connection to the events.
The embassy concluded by calling for responsible reporting and fact-checking, showing the importance of accuracy in preventing misinformation and for fair treatment of all tourists in Thailand.
However the Phuket Express has initially reported the correct information from the Patong Police as in our link below.
