Israel raises Thailand travel threat level, says same risks

(JNS) The Israeli government issued a level-two travel level for Thailand on Sunday, meaning that it perceives a “potential threat,” and “it is recommended to take increased precautionary measures.”

The raised threat level for the country as a whole does not alter the “high threat” level-four advisory, which prohibits travel to an area and instructs those who are there to depart immediately, for southern Thailand, the Jewish state’s National Security Council stated.

On Nov. 12, the government “called on Israelis currently in Thailand to increase their awareness and pay attention to updates from the NSC due to emerging potential threat to Israelis in the country,” the council stated. “Roughly two weeks later, in light of the continued threats, the NSC raised the travel threat level to level two and is recommending to exercise increased caution.”

The Israeli government stated that the “threat has not worsened,” but the council “is publicly updating its recommendations until further notice for Israelis visiting the country.”

Israelis in Thailand are instructed to avoid “large events identified with Israel, especially those publicized in advance, as well as places of entertainment and leisure identified with Israel.”

They also ought to hide anything that identifies them as Israeli or Jewish, avoid posting their location or travel plans on social media and refrain from talking about their military or reserve service or talking or posting about such things on social media, per the Israeli government.

JNS sought comment from the Israeli government and the Jewish state’s embassy in Bangkok and asked whether non-Israeli Jews ought to be cautious about travel to Thailand.

“Advisory speaks for itself,” an Israeli government spokesman told JNS. “Not adding to it.”

Per the Israeli government, “in the south of Thailand, there is terrorist activity by local militias, in particular in the ‘deep south’ districts, which are close to Malaysia.”

“At their head is the BRN organization, which carries out dozens of terrorist attacks a year. In light of this, there is a risk for Israelis who stay/visit the districts of Yala, Sungkla, Pattani, Narathiwat, located in southern Thailand,” it adds. “High threat level (level 4) it is recommended to avoid reaching the south of the country (not including the islands). Occasional threat (level 2) it is recommended to take increased precautions: the rest of Thailand.”

Per the Israeli embassy in Bangkok, “for over 60 years, the two countries have shared a close and friendly relationship as well as cooperating in various fields including agriculture, water management, startups, technological innovation, education, medicine and culture.”

On Sunday, Orna Sagiv, the Israeli ambassador in Bangkok, wrote that it was an “honor” to speak at the second Israeli FoodTech Roadshow in Bangkok,” which the embassy and the Israeli Export Institute organized.

The event, which drew more than 100 people from “major Thai food companies,” shows “the potential for Israel and Thailand to drive a more sustainable and prosperous future in the world’s food industry, for the benefit of our two countries as well as the global community,” she wrote.