PHUKET - An argument between a mobile phone shop owner and two Israeli tourists over a “Free Palestine” flag has drawn attention after video of the exchange was posted on social media.
The CCTV video, shared by Facebook user “ดะห์ลัน กิจจารักษ์” on Aug 24, was taken on Aug 2 inside the shop in Bang Thao, tambon Cherng Talay in Thalang district, according to the timestamp. An accompanying caption says the flag was on private property and questions what right the tourists had to demand it be taken down.
The footage shows a man and woman entering the shop and noticing the flag displayed near the entrance. They asked the owner about it, and the conversation developed into a heated argument before the pair left the shop.
The shop owner, who gave his name as Dahlan, said the flag had been on display for about a year, and was not put up recently in connection with any particular event.
According to Mr Dahlan, the two customers, who he said were Israeli, had come in looking for a phone accessory that was out of stock. The conversation then turned to the flag, with the woman asking why it was there and asking for it to be taken down.
Both sides subsequently made remarks during the exchange that are disputed, with each accusing the other of starting the confrontation.
The shop owner said he holds a personal position on the Palestinian issue and wanted to express opposition to the loss of life and destruction in Gaza, describing it as a stance he takes as a matter of conscience. He claimed he did not initiate the confrontation.
Sensitive issue
The exchange was the latest in a series of incidents involving Israelis, who have been cautioned by their embassy to avoid being drawn into discussions about sensitive issues such as their government’s conduct in Gaza.
On Aug 12 on Koh Samui, a zoo refused entry to an Israeli family after learning their nationality, leading to a heated argument. The Israeli man, who alleged that the Thai owner’s French husband had assaulted him, was subsequently fined 5,000 baht.
A day earlier on Koh Phangan, a 62-year-old Israeli woman and her 23-year-old daughter were seriously beaten in an unprovoked attack by a French man who told them he opposed what Israel was doing in Gaza.
Both women required surgery while their assailant was reportedly released on 100,000-baht bail after being arrested in connection with another unrelated incident.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Monday that Thailand does not welcome foreigners using it to air ideological views that could trigger wider unrest.
He added that most disputes so far appeared to involve individual behaviour rather than reflecting all foreign visitors, adding that troublemakers could have their visas revoked.
