The park displayed a Palestinian flag and a sign barring Israelis.
By United with Israel Staff
Thailand has ordered the deportation of a French zoo owner who barred Israelis from his popular Koh Samui attraction, displayed a Palestinian flag and later responded to the controversy with openly antisemitic statements.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the deportation order against Kevin Dimino, co-owner of Samui Exotic Park, on Monday, Sept. 7, after Thai authorities concluded that his conduct posed a threat to public order and welfare.
The order accuses Dimino of threatening and intimidating behavior, physical violence and conduct that caused disturbances to others. Authorities also accused him of fueling racial and religious divisions and creating conflict among tourists.
The punishment follows a weeks-long controversy that erupted in August after an Israeli family visiting Koh Samui said it was denied entry to the park after staff learned they were from Israel.
According to the family’s account, a staff member asked where they were from and, after being told Israel, informed them that Israelis were not permitted to enter. The family also alleged that Dimino physically assaulted the Israeli father during the confrontation. Dimino and the park’s Thai co-owner have disputed the family’s version of events and said their actions followed repeated misconduct by some Israeli visitors.
The park displayed a Palestinian flag and a sign barring Israelis. Images also circulated showing an Israeli flag marked with a red prohibition symbol positioned beside a shooting target, further inflaming the controversy.
Dimino acknowledged displaying the Palestinian flag, telling AFP that he did so in response to what he claimed was bad behavior by some Israeli visitors. After the confrontation went viral and he received threats online, Dimino responded on social media with what AFP described as “overt anti-Semitic statements.”
Thai authorities ultimately concluded that Dimino’s own conduct crossed the line. His deportation order states that his behavior was contrary to public order, good morals and the well-being of the public, providing grounds for his removal from Thailand.
Dimino has seven days after being formally notified to appeal the deportation order directly to the prime minister. Asked Monday about the decision, he appeared dismissive, telling AFP, “Let the government do its job… it’s nothing to get worked up about.”
An Israeli resident of Koh Samui, Yaacov Ohayon, was separately ordered deported days earlier after being convicted of making threats connected to the escalating dispute. He received a suspended 15-day sentence and a 5,000-baht fine.
The Dimino case comes amid a broader crackdown by Thai authorities on foreigners whose behavior they say threatens public order.
“We want tourists, but when they come, they have to respect our laws, Thai people and our customs and tradition,” Anutin said Sunday.
“We have the right to ask them to leave the country if they have done anything inappropriate.”
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