Phuket tour seller speaks out after Israeli tourist clash

PHUKET — 24 August 2026, A 24-year-old tour counter worker in Patong has spoken out after a video showing him arguing with an Israeli tourist and telling the tourist to leave the area went viral on social media.

The incident took place in front of a tour counter in Patong, Kathu district, Phuket. The video shows an Israeli tourist standing near the counter before a confrontation broke out with a Thai man.

In the footage, the Thai man appears upset and tells the tourist, “This is Thailand, not your country,” before asking him to leave. The video was later widely shared online, prompting a range of reactions and criticism.

A reporter visited the scene to speak with the tour counter worker, identified as 24-year-old Kechin, to hear his account of what happened.

Kechin said he had been working normally that day and selling tour packages to customers as usual. He said the incident was unrelated to the customer who had purchased a rafting trip from him.

According to Kechin, a Palestinian customer whom he had previously served had recommended his services to a friend and planned to send more Palestinian customers to book tours with him. A woman who knew him had also suggested that he display a Palestinian flag when Palestinian customers arrived so he could build a larger customer base.

He said an Israeli tourist group happened to be shopping in the area at the time. Initially, he paid little attention to them and continued working.

However, Kechin said someone in the Israeli group apparently told others that he had displayed a flag to drive them away or insulted their nationality.

“That was not the case at all. I did not communicate with them or do anything to them. They came to travel, and that was it,” he said.

Kechin said that after the matter was reported to other members of the Israeli group, several people came and stood in front of his shop, staring at him. He said they appeared to discuss the situation while pointing toward his tour counter.

“At first, I tried to let it go, but it seemed like they deliberately wanted to confront me,” he said.

Kechin said the exchange shown in the viral video began when the group asked whether he supported Palestine and whether he had chosen the Palestinian side.

“I told them, ‘No. I just sell tour packages to Palestinian customers,’” he said.

He said one of the tourists then raised a hand and shouted, “Free Israel,” after which the argument continued as shown in the video.

Kechin stressed that he normally serves Israeli tourists and does not refuse them service because of their nationality.

“Israeli tourists also come to buy tours. I serve them normally. It’s not that when Israelis come to buy a tour, we show a Palestinian flag and tell them to go away,” he said.

“I did not chase them away like that. If they come as friends, I provide equal service to tourists from every country,” he added.

Kechin said Israeli tourists are common in Patong, with many arriving in large groups. Some stay for short periods while others remain for longer periods, and he sees them regularly throughout the year.

He said larger numbers of Israeli tourists are particularly noticeable on Fridays, when many gather around Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road for religious observances related to Shabbat.