Thailand has had enough – and the golden age of Israelis in Koh Phangan comes to an end
Arrests, informants, fines and deep disappointment: As Thailand shifts from turning a blind eye to strict enforcement of land ownership laws, Israelis who dreamed of building their homes or striking it rich in Koh Phangan are keeping a low profile, and some are leaving altogether
Koh Phangan. Credit: Vasit Buasamui / Shutterstock.com
Arrests, informants, fines and deep disappointment: As Thailand shifts from turning a blind eye to strict enforcement of land ownership laws, Israelis who dreamed of building their homes or striking it rich in Koh Phangan are keeping a low profile, and some are leaving altogether
01:53 AM • January 10 2026 IST
A visit to this island today is like a trip to a sausage factory where, as the saying goes, no one wants to know how the product is made. The sausages, in this case, are Instagram photos of tourists against a backdrop of white sand holding colorful cocktails, and social media stories of the delightful lives led by Israelis who moved here and work remotely in the shade of coconut trees swaying in the breeze.
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