Thai Authorities Deport Israeli Man Over Zoo Dispute

Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed a deportation order against Israeli citizen Yaakov Ohayon, a resident of Koh Samui. The order, reported by Thai media including the Public Broadcasting Service and the Bangkok Post, makes Ohayon the first foreigner to be deported under new regulations enacted in late August. Ohayon was convicted by the Koh Samui District Court of causing fear or panic through threats. He received a reduced sentence of 15 days' probation for two years and a fine of 5,000 baht (approximately $135 USD) after confessing. The Ministry deemed his behavior contrary to public order, good morals, and public welfare, justifying his deportation under the 1956 Deportation Act and 2026 regulations. Ohayon has seven days from official notification to appeal directly to the Prime Minister to cancel or postpone the order.

The case gained significant attention following an incident on August 12th, when an Israeli family was denied entry to the Samui Exotic Park. The park's owner, Jindarat Satayaporn, and her French husband, Kevin Dimino, reportedly displayed a Palestinian flag and a sign prohibiting entry to Israelis. Footage later emerged showing an Israeli flag alongside a shooting target. Ohayon, a real estate developer who has lived in Koh Samui for five years on a business visa, confronted Dimino about the flag, leading to a physical altercation, according to Thai reports. Ohayon was subsequently accused of making threats on Facebook and was arrested by police. The zoo management claims that Israeli visitors had previously violated rules, refused to pay entrance fees, took food from others, and harmed animals, which led to the ban and the display of the Palestinian flag. The owner also filed a complaint alleging threats of arson and harm to her family. Simultaneously, an investigation considered a reported reward of 500,000 baht for information leading to harm against the owners.

Ohayon's confrontation occurred after the initial display of the signs and flag. Authorities in Surat Thani were also examining measures against the French owner. The Thai Minister of Tourism recently stated that the government is taking a firm stance against foreigners causing trouble to protect the island's tourism industry. Ohayon's deportation is pending the outcome of his appeal.