‘My money builds your country’: Israeli tourist apologises after Thai backlash скачать в хорошем качестве

‘My money builds your country’: Israeli tourist apologises after Thai backlash

‘My money builds your country’: Israeli tourist apologises after Thai backlash . A viral incident involving an Israeli tourist has sparked heated debate online after a confrontation in a restaurant on Thailand’s Koh Phangan island, Surat Thani province, on May 5. . A video circulating on social media shows a local restaurant employee confronting the woman, asking her to leave after she refused to follow the restaurant’s rules—namely, removing her shoes before entering and refraining from smoking. . The employee can be heard saying, “Go back to your country. You’re not welcome here,” to which the tourist allegedly replied, “Sorry, but my money builds your country.” . The incident quickly went viral, fueling backlash from Thai netizens who criticised the tourists’ disrespect toward local customs. . In response, the woman later addressed the controversy via Instagram, identifying herself as the person in the video and claiming her words were taken out of context. She clarified that her intent was to express how Israeli tourism contributes to Thailand’s economy, not to demean the country. . She also alleged that she had previously received permission to wear shoes inside the venue due to a leg injury and that the person filming the video was not a staff member but another guest, who she claims physically assaulted her. . According to her, the video was edited and did not show the full extent of what occurred, including the alleged violence she experienced. . The incident continues to stir debate, raising questions about tourist behaviour, respect for local traditions and how social media can shape narratives in viral moments. . #ThailandNews #ViralVideo #TouristControversy #KohPhangan #RespectLocalCulture #TravelEtiquette #TourismDebate #SocialMediaBacklash #ThaiCustoms