DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (Feb. 18) it is impossible for Israelis to seize Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, with just thinking about it is wrong, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon.
This issue arose after news spread on social media that Israelis are using a hotel as a synagogue and have put up a sign saying Thais are forbidden from entering the compound.
It is impossible to ban Thais from entering a compound unless they own the land but if it is a shop, hotel or a public place people can enter, Anutin said. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra earlier said he will be going to Pai to sort out this problem next week.
“If they put up signs forbidding Thais from entering then we will remove them,” he said.
When asked if this is a result of the visa exemption, Anutin replied that the two issues were not related with this measure having a certain timeframe.
Meanwhile Mae Hong Son police, security units and officials on their toes resolving this issue after National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet ordered local police to clarify within seven days news of the behaviour of foreigners in many areas affecting peace in the society and good morals of the people aside from violating the law.
Pol. Lt. Col. Suwit Bunyaphen, Tourist Police inspector at Mae Hong Son, said as news has spread on social media that Israelis have settled in Pai and are causing trouble for the local people plus taking away jobs from Thais, he would like to share the following information:
– The total population of Pai is approximately 38,000 people;
– The number of Israeli tourists reported by the media as totaling 30,000 is in fact the annual total. The average number of Israeli tourists staying here is 83-84 a day;
– The largest number of tourists visiting Pai are from UK followed by Israel, US and Germany respectively.
– Religious ceremonies are held at this synagogue in Pai on Friday and Saturday with there being a dining area for 200 people;
– There are seven synagogues in Thailand and aside from the one at Pai the others are in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Koh Phangan with the largest one being in Bangkok,
CAPTIONS:
Top, below and Front Page:Tourists in Pai and police inspecting the synagogue there. Photos: Naewna
Insert: Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Photo: Thai Rath
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