Thailand Orders Deportation of French Zoo Manager Who Banned Israelis

Thailand issued a deportation order on Monday against Kevin Diminu, the French manager of a zoo in Koh Samui who refused entry to Israelis, three days after local authorities also ordered the deportation of the Israeli national involved in the physical altercation with him.

Diminu, who operates the park alongside his Thai partner, is accused of "threats, harassment, and physical violence," as well as "sowing discord and inciting division based on race and religion." Having resided in Thailand for over a decade, Diminu has seven days to appeal the deportation decision. "Let the government do its job, there is nothing to worry about," he told the AFP news agency.

The Escalation and Physical Altercation

The incident began when Diminu displayed a Palestinian flag at the zoo alongside signs stating that Israelis were not allowed to enter the park. This led to a confrontation with an Israeli national living on the island. Videos circulated on social media showing Diminu attacking the Israeli man and headbutting him.

The conflict quickly escalated beyond the gates of the zoo. Diminu claimed that he and his family received threats and that his mother's house in France was set on fire. Concurrently, Thai police launched an investigation into allegations that an Israeli national offered 500,000 Baht for information leading to physical harm against the zoo manager. In response to these developments, local authorities deployed security forces to the area and evaluated legal measures against those involved.

Deportation of the Israeli National

As previously reported, Thai authorities also ordered the deportation of the Israeli national involved in the dispute. He was convicted of "making threats and engaging in behavior that caused fear and distress to another person." The Thai Ministry of Interior ruled that his conduct constituted a threat to public order and public peace.