Thailand deports two foreign nationals following Koh Samui dispute

BANGKOK, Sept 7 (TNA) - Thai authorities have issued deportation orders for an Israeli national and a French national following a high-profile dispute involving a local animal park on the resort island of Koh Samui, officials said on Monday.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed an order to deport Israeli national Yaacov Ohayon after the Koh Samui Provincial Court found him guilty of criminal intimidation under Section 392 of the Thai Criminal Code. Ohayon received a suspended 15-day prison sentence and a 5,000 baht ($150) fine following a guilty plea for sending threatening messages to the owners of Samui Exotic Park.

Authorities also issued a deportation order for French national Kevin Dimino, a co-owner of the venue. Officials cited Dimino for aggressive behavior, physical assault, public disturbance, and inciting racial and religious tension, determining that his conduct posed a risk to public safety. The decision followed a court ruling in which Dimino was fined 5,000 baht for traffic violations.

The dispute began in late August when the venue's owners filed a complaint alleging that a group of tourists had created disruptions, mistreated animals, and refused to pay entry fees. Tensions escalated after the park restricted entry to the group, resulting in written threats. Members of the Israeli group told local authorities they felt targeted due to their nationality, citing restrictive signage and a Palestinian flag displayed at the venue.

Both men were granted seven days to appeal their deportation orders directly to the Prime Minister. The actions mark some of the first deportations executed under streamlined regulations introduced on Aug. 28, which aim to expedite the expulsion of foreign offenders within 30 days. -819 (TNA)