Authorities Refute Claims of Israeli Settlements in Pai District
Mae Hong Son officials confirm local businesses are Thai-owned; no evidence of Israeli dominance
MAE HONG SON: Recent investigations by local authorities have debunked social media rumors alleging Israeli settlements and business dominance in Pai district.
Pol Maj Gen Songkrit Ontakrai, commander of Mae Hong Son police, stated that thorough inspections of tourist attractions and commercial areas revealed all businesses are owned by Thai nationals.
The inspections covered streets, car rental services, guesthouses, religious sites, villages, and hotels, with no foreign ownership detected.
During these operations, officials also reminded visitors to adhere to local regulations, including prohibitions against causing disturbances, smoking cigarettes or cannabis, and consuming alcohol in public spaces.
On a recent patrol of Pai's walking street, ten individuals were arrested and fined for public cannabis use that inconvenienced others.
Currently, there are 84 licensed cannabis shops operating on Pai Walking Street.
Since the beginning of the year, 4,573 Israeli tourists have visited Pai, with only 24 requesting visa extensions as of February 19. Given the availability of 3,257 rental rooms in Pai, claims of over 30,000 Israeli visitors in the area are unfounded.
Over the past year, authorities have arrested 1,634 foreigners for traffic violations and 27 individuals, including 13 Israelis, for illegal immigration in Pai.
Pol Maj Gen Songkrit emphasized that law enforcement continues to work diligently to maintain Pai's reputation as a premier tourist destination.
Pol Maj Gen Songkrit Ontakrai, commander of Mae Hong Son police, stated that thorough inspections of tourist attractions and commercial areas revealed all businesses are owned by Thai nationals.
The inspections covered streets, car rental services, guesthouses, religious sites, villages, and hotels, with no foreign ownership detected.
During these operations, officials also reminded visitors to adhere to local regulations, including prohibitions against causing disturbances, smoking cigarettes or cannabis, and consuming alcohol in public spaces.
On a recent patrol of Pai's walking street, ten individuals were arrested and fined for public cannabis use that inconvenienced others.
Currently, there are 84 licensed cannabis shops operating on Pai Walking Street.
Since the beginning of the year, 4,573 Israeli tourists have visited Pai, with only 24 requesting visa extensions as of February 19. Given the availability of 3,257 rental rooms in Pai, claims of over 30,000 Israeli visitors in the area are unfounded.
Over the past year, authorities have arrested 1,634 foreigners for traffic violations and 27 individuals, including 13 Israelis, for illegal immigration in Pai.
Pol Maj Gen Songkrit emphasized that law enforcement continues to work diligently to maintain Pai's reputation as a premier tourist destination.
