Thailand's Koh Phangan panel urges visa revocation for Israeli visitor

A special committee on the Thai island of Koh Phangan has recommended that the visa of a 33-year-old Israeli woman be revoked after local police received complaints about her behaviour toward hotel staff and tourists. The case is the latest in a series of immigration enforcement actions against foreign visitors on Thailand's tourist islands.

Key facts

• The recommendation was announced on Thursday by the Special Committee for Reviewing the Behavior of Foreign Nationals on Koh Phangan.
• The woman, named as Einav Ashuel, is 33 and from Israel.
• Two police complaints were filed against her, according to the Koh Phangan district administration.
• The committee referred the case to immigration police for further action.
• Authorities have not confirmed whether her visa has been revoked or whether she has been deported.

What is alleged to have happened?

According to an official statement from the Koh Phangan district administration, two police complaints were filed against the woman. Authorities allege that while visiting Than Sadet National Park and a hotel, she used services without paying for them, shouted, cursed, insulted employees and threatened to physically harm staff members and tourists.

The complaints described "threatening and abusive behavior toward employees and tourists." The woman and Israel's Foreign Ministry have not yet responded to the allegations.

Who made the decision?

The recommendation followed a meeting on Thursday chaired by Koh Phangan District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen. Local police commanders, immigration and tourist police representatives, and senior local officials attended.

After the meeting, the committee recommended revoking the woman's visa and referred the case to immigration police for further action. No start date or further timetable has been announced.

Is this part of a wider crackdown?

The committee that made this recommendation is the same body that, in late March, recommended revoking the visas of three Israelis who displayed Chabad "Messiah" flags, distributed leaflets and used WhatsApp groups to invite people to Passover activities on the nearby island of Koh Tao. Thai authorities said at the time that the activities had raised concerns among residents, business owners and tourists and warned they could disrupt public order. The three Israelis were subsequently deported, according to a report published on a Chabad website.

In September, Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a deportation order against Israeli citizen Yaakov Ohayon after he was convicted of making threats during a dispute involving a zoo on the island of Koh Samui. A court sentenced Ohayon to a suspended 15-day prison term and fined him 5,000 baht. A deportation order was later issued against the zoo's owner, a French citizen, over his conduct in the same dispute.

The stricter enforcement measures are not limited to Israelis. In early April, the Koh Phangan district chief announced that authorities had revoked the visas of 13 foreign tourists in the preceding period because of inappropriate behaviour. He said inspections and monitoring would continue as part of efforts to protect the safety of residents and tourists.

What this means for travellers

The Israeli Embassy in Bangkok issued a special warning to Israeli travellers in May after authorities in Phuket province stepped up enforcement of local laws. In its advisory, the embassy said local officials had been instructed to impose stricter penalties on those who violate the law, including revoking visas in serious cases.

The embassy urged Israelis travelling to Thailand to comply with local laws and regulations to avoid legal or immigration consequences. Travellers on Koh Phangan and other Thai islands should be aware that complaints about conduct can be referred to immigration police and can lead to visa revocation.

No further steps in the current case have been announced. Authorities have not confirmed whether the woman's visa has been revoked or whether she has been deported.