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Thai Authorities Intensify Crackdown on Tourist Offences in Pai Following Hospital Incident
The enforcement action follows the deportation of four Israeli nationals for their involvement in a disruptive rampage at a local hospital.
In response to increasing concerns regarding foreign tourist conduct, Thai police and the Immigration Bureau (IB) have initiated a series of enforcement actions in the Pai district of Mae Hong Son province.
This measure was prompted by a violent incident that occurred at Pai Hospital last Sunday, involving four Israeli nationals who were subsequently deported.
The individuals involved, identified as Daniel Gagaev (24), Aviv Rom (26), Emanoel Ashton (25), and Dan Nisko (25), reportedly broke into the hospital's emergency room following a motorcycle accident that left a fellow Israeli injured.
Their actions led to property damage and significant disruption within the hospital, prompting staff to seek police intervention.
After the incident, the four were fined 3,000 baht each, had their tourist visas revoked, and were deported back to Israel.
A doctor from the hospital expressed concerns about the prevalence of disruptive behaviors from foreign visitors, stating that this was not an isolated case and underscored a troubling trend among some tourists from Israel.
The Pai district has emerged as a popular destination for Israeli tourists, with reports indicating some engaging in illegal activities, including operating motorcycle riding schools and driving without valid licenses, contributing to an increase in road accidents.
In light of these incidents, Pol Lt Gen Saksira Pheuk-am, commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau (TPB), has mandated strict enforcement of laws governing foreign tourists, applicable to all nationalities.
Following this directive, the TPB and IB coordinated a series of raids in the Pai district over the weekend.
This operation involved over 50 officers conducting checks across various locations.
The authorities reported the arrest of one foreign national for illegal entry into Thailand, as well as an employer for hiring undocumented migrant workers, and a homeowner for housing an undocumented migrant without notifying authorities.
These individuals now face pending legal charges.
The ongoing initiatives by Thai authorities aim to address unlawful activities and uphold public safety in the Pai district, as they continue to monitor and regulate tourist conduct in the area.
This measure was prompted by a violent incident that occurred at Pai Hospital last Sunday, involving four Israeli nationals who were subsequently deported.
The individuals involved, identified as Daniel Gagaev (24), Aviv Rom (26), Emanoel Ashton (25), and Dan Nisko (25), reportedly broke into the hospital's emergency room following a motorcycle accident that left a fellow Israeli injured.
Their actions led to property damage and significant disruption within the hospital, prompting staff to seek police intervention.
After the incident, the four were fined 3,000 baht each, had their tourist visas revoked, and were deported back to Israel.
A doctor from the hospital expressed concerns about the prevalence of disruptive behaviors from foreign visitors, stating that this was not an isolated case and underscored a troubling trend among some tourists from Israel.
The Pai district has emerged as a popular destination for Israeli tourists, with reports indicating some engaging in illegal activities, including operating motorcycle riding schools and driving without valid licenses, contributing to an increase in road accidents.
In light of these incidents, Pol Lt Gen Saksira Pheuk-am, commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau (TPB), has mandated strict enforcement of laws governing foreign tourists, applicable to all nationalities.
Following this directive, the TPB and IB coordinated a series of raids in the Pai district over the weekend.
This operation involved over 50 officers conducting checks across various locations.
The authorities reported the arrest of one foreign national for illegal entry into Thailand, as well as an employer for hiring undocumented migrant workers, and a homeowner for housing an undocumented migrant without notifying authorities.
These individuals now face pending legal charges.
The ongoing initiatives by Thai authorities aim to address unlawful activities and uphold public safety in the Pai district, as they continue to monitor and regulate tourist conduct in the area.
