There are no irregularities with verified arrival and departure figures for Israeli nationals, Immigration Bureau officials said yesterday (Mar 12).
They were responding to a claim on social media that about 425,000 Israelis - about 4% of the total Israeli population - have settled in Thailand.
The figure happens to be close to the number of Israelis who visited Thailand in 2025, said Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, a spokesman for the bureau. Other than that it has no basis in fact.
Immigration data from the five main airports in Thailand showed that 420,202 Israelis arrived in the country last year and 405,712 departed.
From Jan 1 to Mar 11 this year, 84,238 Israelis visited Thailand and 80,171 left the country, reports the Bangkok Post.
The technology centre of the Immigration Bureau reported that there were 31,892 Israelis in Thailand on Tuesday. The figure included tourists arriving under the free-visa scheme, as well as those seeking longer-term visas for business, education and family visits.
“Regarding the arrivals and departures, there have not been any abnormal stays,” Pol Maj Gen Choengron said.
Among Israelis seeking long-stay visas, he said, there were 139 in Mae Hong Son, one in Amnat Charoen province, and none in Phrae and Phayao.
On islands including Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, 5,938 Israelis sought short- and long-term visas from Jan 1 to Mar 11, Pol Maj Gen Choengron said.
Immigration police can deny entry to any visitors who have suspicious records of previous stays in Thailand or other countries.
At the same time, police say, they remain mindful of concerns that Israeli travellers could be targets for attacks by those who oppose Israel’s political and military aims.
“I can confirm that the Immigration Bureau is taking full precautions on the possible impact of the Middle East war so that we will not become an area for retaliation by any conflicting countries,” Pol Maj Gen Choengron said.
Rumours have circulated frequently on social media about the extent of the Israeli presence in Thailand. Reports of “30,000 Israelis” forming a “promised land” in specific areas were officially denied by Thai authorities in February.
Last year Thai authorities stepped in to combat anti-Israeli backlash in Pai in Mae Hong Son, a favourite destination of Israeli travellers.
The southern tourist island of Koh Phangan is another popular destination, but there have been complaints there about widespread ownership of land and businesses by Israelis.