Thai Authorities Consider Deporting Israeli and French Men After Dispute Over Palestinian Flag on Koh Samui
Thai authorities are considering canceling the residency permits and deporting two foreign nationals, an Israeli and a Frenchman, following a personal dispute that escalated on the island of Koh Samui. The conflict began after the French businessman Kevin Dimino, who manages the Samui Exotic Park zoo, raised a Palestinian flag and posted signs banning Israelis from entering the park. An Israeli resident of the island requested the removal of the flag, but Dimino refused, leading to a physical altercation and online threats.
Videos circulated on social media showing Dimino attacking the Israeli man, while Dimino claimed his mother's house in France was set on fire due to threats. The dispute has led to legal proceedings, with a Koh Samui court fining the Israeli 5,000 baht and sentencing him to a two-year suspended prison term for threats. Meanwhile, police are investigating claims that another Israeli offered 500,000 baht for information leading to harm against Dimino.
Thai officials warn that the personal conflict could escalate into broader religious or ethnic tensions, potentially damaging Koh Samui's reputation as an international tourist destination. However, they emphasize that this is a dispute between individuals, not between Israeli tourists and local residents. Despite the Frenchman’s ban on Israeli visitors and his violent behavior, Thai authorities have approached the case with relative neutrality, seeking balance between the complaints.
Security checkpoints have been established near the zoo and the residences of those involved since August 15 to prevent further clashes. Kevin Dimino, originally from Villeurbanne, France, has a history of antisemitic remarks and reportedly physically attacked Jewish families from Israel and France in the past. His social media accounts have explicitly stated a ban on Israelis entering his park, attributing the policy to the behavior of past Israeli visitors rather than political motives.
The case is currently under review by a provincial committee that will decide on the cancellation of the visas and deportation of the two men involved.
