DEPUTY Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Israeli Ambassador Orna Sagiv visited the Chabad House at Pai district, northern Mae Hong Son province, today (Feb. 26) to resolve misunderstanding after news spread that Israelis have settled there and are causing chaos and were reassured by the provincial governor that situation is back to normal, Amarin TV said.
The governor, Mr. Ekawit Meepian, together with local officials also said that this issue had not affected tourism with the number of tourists having increased significantly and along with it income.
The Israeli envoy travelled to this scenic northern district in person because she was concerned misunderstanding with Israeli tourists would lead to Thais having negative feelings towards them.
Anutin said concerns raised over an Israeli community being established in Pai stemmed from incorrect communication. There are only about 20 Israelis who have married Thais and settled in Pai and they lead a normal life.
As for Israeli tourists who come here, there may be cultural differences with the Israeli ambassador going to explain to them how to dress and blend in thus not causing discomfort.
Anutin also confirmed there is no espionage or security-related networking taking place here.
As for the Chabad House, this has been registered as a foundation. It has been fenced off but Thais are not prohibited from entering. As some Israelis are very strictly religious this centre has been arranged for them to perform their religious ceremonies.
The Chabad House is not allowed to sell food with the operators having been informed they have to register as a restaurant to do so but they denied any such intention.
Anutin emphasized peace and fairness must be created for both sides with Pai business operators having asked for help because particularly young tourists refuse to pay for food they think is not good or not to their taste.
They cannot do this and will face legal action if they refuse to pay, he warned.
Moreover, the Interior Ministry will not let gangsters and influential people bully local people in any province at all, especially if they are foreigners.
The Israeli ambassador said she was not happy at seeing signs posted in public areas and restaurants prohibiting Israelis from entering, with this reminding her of the terrible holocaust during World War II.
However she has received good cooperation from Anutin today and is confident that the two countries will be able to find a solution together,
Even though a small group of Israeli tourists come to Thailand, just around 300,000 a year, Thai people have turned this into a big issue, she mentioned.
CAPTION:
Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul with Israeli Ambassador Ms. Orna Sagiv at the Chabad House in Pai. Photos: Amarin TV
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