WITH THE war in the Middle East still raging fiercely, the Immigration Bureau is now strictly screening foreigners coming to Thailand from countries caught in the fighting while pointing out that the total number Israelis here is far lower than speculated, PPTVHD36 said today (Mar. 12).
Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee, the bureau’s deputy commander and spokesperson, said concern has arisen about foreigners from countries involved in the Middle East war moving here with some media reports indicating that a large number of them, particularly Israelis, are residing in Thailand, with local Israeli community estimated at 425,000, or 5% of the total Israeli population.
These media reports also said provinces that are not major tourist destinations are also attracting this group of foreigners, such as Phayao (approximately 470,000), Phrae (approximately 440,000), Lamphun (approximately 400,000), Amnat Charoen (approximately 370,000), and Satun (approximately 324,000).
However Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron said that the total number of Israelis in Thailand is less than 100,000. The bureau’s data shows that in 2025 Israelis entering Thailand through the five main airports totalled 420,202 while 405,712 left. This year, up to yesterday (Mar. 11), 84,238 Israelis entered the country while 80,171 left.
The difference between total entries and exits is clearly not significant, he pointed out.
Additionally the Immigration Technology Centre said that as of Mar. 10, 2026 there were approximately 31,892 Israelis in Thailand, with this total including visa-free tourists and those applying for visa for business, education and family reasons, he said, adding that the total is not hundreds of thousands as has been reported.
Provincial examination of Israelis applying for visa extension shows that one person did so in Amnat Charoen and none in Phrae and Phayao.
In tourist provinces, there were 139 visa extension applications in Mae Hong Son with the rest being tourists who continuously enter and leave the country. Furthermore, in Surat Thani, especially on islands such as Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, there were only 5,938 tourists and groups applying for short- and long-term extensions from January 2026 to March 11, 2026.
In addition, Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyalaksam, commander of the Immigration Bureau, has ordered immigration offices at airports and in all provinces to more strictly screen foreigners, especially those from countries involved in the Middle East war. Immigration officers are now scrutinising the whereabouts of foreign nationals residing in the country more closely.
This includes reviewing their travel history, both domestic and international, travel plans, accommodation booking pattern, and return travel plans. If any suspicion arises, entry will be denied.
Furthermore, provincial immigration offices have deployed personnel to check hotels where foreign nationals declared they are residing in and expat communities, particularly at major tourist destinations.
“I would like to confirm that the Immigration Bureau is taking full responsibility for monitoring the impact of the conflict in the Middle East to prevent us from becoming a target of retaliation by the opposing nations,” he said.
However these measures may affect the queues of foreign nationals entering the country at airports, especially Suvarnabhumi Airport, during peak flight times, with waiting time increasing from 30 minutes to approximately 50 minutes. Inspection counters are fully staffed to maintain a balance between tourism and immigration, especially during upcoming Songkran Festival, he added.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee attending a meeting at the Immigration Bureau. Photos – PPTVHD36
Insert – Suvarnabhumi Airport . Photo – Thai Rath
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