French zoo owner faces Thai deportation over Israeli ban

Thailand said Monday it would deport Kevin Dimino, a French co-owner of a zoo on Koh Samui, after he banned Israeli visitors from the park.

An order signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Dimino, co-owner of Samui Exotic Park, had engaged in threatening, harassing and physically abusive behaviour. The order said his behaviour was contrary to public order, good morals and public welfare.

The order also said a local court had fined Dimino 5,000 baht, or about $150, for violating a law on the use of roads and vehicles. The deportation order can be appealed within seven days.

Thailand issued a similar order on Friday for Israeli national Yaacov Ohayon, who the government said had received a suspended 15-day jail sentence and a 5,000-baht fine for causing fear or panic through threats.

Dimino, who owns the zoo with his Thai wife, told AFP last month that he had put up a Palestinian flag in response to bad behaviour by some Israeli visitors, which he said led to online threats. He later went viral after an altercation with an Israeli family was filmed. AFP reported that he received more threats and responded with overt anti-Semitic statements.

Dimino told AFP at the weekend that Ohayon had “started the story”. Asked about his deportation order on Monday, he said: “Let the government do its job... it's nothing to get worked up about.”

The orders came after Thailand published new regulations on when foreigners can be expelled, amid increased scrutiny of tourist behaviour. Anutin, who is also interior minister, said Sunday that Thailand wanted tourists but expected them to respect Thai laws, people, customs and traditions.