Phuket officials deny rumors Israelis seized public beach
Phuket – Authorities have dismissed circulating rumors alleging that Israeli tourists seized control of a public beach in Phuket and attempted to drive away Thai visitors. The Provincial Public Relations Office…
Phuket officials on Tuesday denied online claims that Israeli foreigners had taken over a public beach and tried to force Thai beachgoers to leave. The Provincial Public Relations Office said the reports were false after coordinating with local police and relevant agencies to investigate the allegation.
Officials said the beach remains a public area under Thai law and is open to both residents and tourists. They said no person or group had attempted to claim ownership or declare the site private, contrary to the posts circulating online.
Filming request led to misunderstanding
Authorities said the dispute began when a group of foreign tourists was filming aircraft takeoffs and landings near the beach. While recording, they asked people nearby not to block the camera for a few seconds during key moments.
Officials said that request was connected only to filming and was not an attempt to assert control over the area. They added that the tourists never claimed to own the beach.
The clarification followed checks by police and other agencies as the rumor spread online. Officials also urged the public to verify information with credible sources before sharing it.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/04/28/phuket-authorities-refute-rumors-of-israeli-foreigners-seizing-public-beach/
