Need to see a few patterns as to where to place decorative tiles not a trim tile.

I would like to tile the back wall of a kitchen. Currently, there are wood panels there.

Since there is already a preformed countertop + backsplash in the kitchen, the tiles only need to be decorative- not functional in any way. I just want to make sure the tiles won't crack or fall off. There is no cooking range on this wall, only a sink.

Can I tile directly over the wood panels? Would I have to use some kind of a special (flexible?) additive for thinset?