BANGKOK – Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed a deportation order against a French co-owner of a Koh Samui zoo following a high-profile feud involving an Israeli national and the exclusion of Israeli visitors.
According to a Khaosod English, the expulsion order against Kevin Dimino, co-owner of Samui Exotic Park, was signed on Sept 7 after authorities determined his conduct, including physical altercations, social media harassment, and religious discrimination, threatened public order and the island’s tourism image.
The decision follows a separate deportation order issued on Sept 5 against Israeli businessman Yaacov Ohayon, who was convicted of criminal intimidation against Dimino during the same dispute.
The conflict escalated after a family of Israeli tourists was denied entry to the zoo on Aug 12, after which the establishment displayed a Palestinian flag alongside signage prohibiting Israeli visitors.
Dimino was previously fined 5,000 baht by the Koh Samui Provincial Court after pleading guilty to charges separate from the administrative deportation action, while Ohayon received a suspended 15-day jail sentence and a 5,000 baht fine for intimidation.
Thai authorities confirmed that Ohayon remains in police custody in Koh Samui pending deportation, while immigration officers are currently serving Dimino with his formal expulsion notice.
Anutin warned that Thailand enforces strict deportation regulations against foreign nationals who breach public peace or display unacceptable behavior while residing in the country. -MalayaDailyToday
