UPDATE: Patong forum on foreign tourist conduct goes ahead after police approval

The 28 August 2026 gathering at Loma Park in front of Patong Beach went ahead as a public forum, with Phuket residents, business owners and local operators presenting concerns about the behaviour of some foreign tourists and foreign-owned businesses, Thai PBS reported. Patong police had approved the event, which organisers presented as a peaceful discussion. Thai Post reported that the group framed its protest around allegations that some Israeli tourists were acting above the law.

The gathering was first approved on 25 August and was scheduled for 2pm to 6pm. Organisers had expected more than 500 residents, business owners and operators from across Phuket to attend.

Reports use slightly different labels for the organisers and venue. The Phuket News and Thai PBS referred to the self-described ‘Phuket Land Protection Group’, while The Thaiger called it the ‘Protect Phuket’ group. Loma Park was also referred to as Dolphin Park or Loma Public Park. The reports describe the same gathering in Patong.

On 27 August, Pol Lt Col Somporn Surin, deputy superintendent of Patong Police Station, told The Phuket News that police had ‘still approved’ the gathering. Patong Police planned to meet the organisers that day to ensure it remained solely a discussion within the agreed peaceful and lawful framework and that no symbolic displays would occur.

Police said officers would be present to monitor compliance. Somporn warned that any breach of the agreement could result in the event being terminated immediately, with legal action taken. The conditions also prohibited Palestinian flags and symbols associated with international conflicts, with police saying the aim was to keep the gathering focused on local concerns rather than global political disputes.

The Phuket News reported that SAVE Phuket had published promotional material for the event on Facebook. One Reel featured an Israeli flag marked with a prominent red X alongside images of a crowd holding banners and a megaphone, with flames, smoke and explosions shown in front of a classical-style building. Other associated imagery included the slogans ‘Phuket will not stay silent’, ‘No to Israeli policies’ and ‘Get out Israel’. The report said the material appeared inconsistent with the conditions set by police. Somporn declined to comment specifically on the imagery.

The stated purpose was to give residents, business owners and others who said they had been affected by the behaviour of some foreign tourists an opportunity to present their concerns to relevant government agencies. The group said its objective was to urge foreign visitors to obey Thai laws and respect local residents’ way of life.

According to The Thaiger, the announced programme had two parts. The first would allow members of the public, business owners and others affected by tourist behaviour to describe problems for referral to relevant agencies. The second would be a panel discussion with government agencies, giving them an opportunity to answer questions, hear proposals and discuss possible solutions.

In a Facebook post published on 26 August, the group emphasised the peaceful nature of the event. It said presentations would focus on factual information and would not be intended to create hatred or conflict between residents and tourists. Participants were urged not to bring weapons or intoxicants, avoid language or actions that could cause violence or conflict, respect the rights of others and follow officials’ instructions.

Thai PBS reported that the forum gave residents and local operators who said they had experienced incidents an opportunity to present firsthand accounts. A Phuket public-transport provider said a group of foreign tourists had behaved inappropriately and bullied him after he tried to negotiate a fare, despite having stated the standard rate.

Saichol Nuchet, a representative of the group, said some foreign groups had allegedly caused nuisance by eating at restaurants without paying, damaging property, assaulting people or driving dangerously in ways that alarmed local communities. These were claims raised by participants rather than independently verified incidents in the Thai PBS report.

The group has also cited complaints involving some Israeli tourists, including disputes over food payments and tuk-tuk fares, vehicle damage and confrontations with other foreign tourists. It has alleged that some Israeli tourists primarily spend money at Israeli-owned businesses. The Thaiger reported that organisers said they were not generalising about an entire nationality and that the same standard should apply to tourists of every nationality. The group also raised concerns about some French tourists, saying groups travelling together between locations should be monitored if their behaviour causes a nuisance to residents.

Thai PBS reported that local tour operators also raised broader economic concerns. They alleged that some foreign-owned tourism businesses operate an integrated chain, from accommodation and restaurants to their own tour services, meaning tourism income does not reach local SMEs as it should. The operators proposed stricter immigration screening and visa approvals, a review of long-term stays and reducing tourist-visa stays to between 15 days and one month. They presented the proposals as a way to prevent foreigners from using their stay to operate businesses or reside in Thailand because living costs are lower than in their countries of origin. These were proposals from the operators, not reported changes to visa rules.

Phuket MP Chalermphong Saengdee attended the forum at the invitation of the civic group and spoke at the event, titled ‘Save Phuket, Save Patong — Respect Thai Law’. He said Phuket remained open to visitors from around the world, but that visitors must respect Thai law, local culture and the way of life of their hosts.

Chalermphong advocated addressing the concerns through legal due process rather than immediate deportation. He said the most severe measure should not be used without examining the facts and following the correct legal steps, except in cases involving serious offences clearly covered by law.

He said the main problem was not a lack of legislation but weak and unequal enforcement. He pointed to what he described as money or interests being allowed to override the law, dereliction of duty, bribery, the improper issuing of Thai identity cards to foreigners and the tolerance of nominee businesses. He called for strict and transparent investigations and penalties for every offender, Thai or foreign, without exception, while opposing discrimination based on race or religion.