KOH SAMUI – An Israeli national, wanted for a violent armed robbery in his home country, was apprehended by Thai immigration police at Koh Samui International Airport as he attempted to board an outbound flight. The arrest on Sunday culminated a weeks-long manhunt initiated following a formal request from Israeli authorities.

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Pol Col Naruwat Phuttawiro, superintendent of the Surat Thani Immigration Office, confirmed the arrest of the 22-year-old suspect, identified only as O.F. The operation was launched after the Israeli Embassy’s security attaché provided information to Thai police on September 15, requesting assistance in locating the fugitive.

According to the charges, the suspect and two accomplices are accused of carrying out a home invasion in Israel, during which they threatened the homeowner with firearms before stealing jewellery, a passport, and a laptop. Pol Col Naruwat added that the suspect had a prior criminal history, including offences related to drug sales and violence.

SURAT THANI – Police arrested an Israeli man accused of the armed robbery of a house in Israel as he was boarding a flight at Koh Samui international airport.

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The breakthrough in the case came when investigators managed to track the signal from the stolen laptop, which led them to Koh Samui. While the suspect had registered at a hotel in the popular Chaweng beach area, a police search determined he was not actually residing there. Authorities eventually learned he had booked a flight departing the island on Sunday, leading to his successful detention at the airport.

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Following his arrest, Thai police cancelled the suspect’s visa and processed him for deportation to Israel, where he will face prosecution for the alleged crimes. Pol Col Naruwat also confirmed that the individual has been blacklisted, permanently banning him from re-entering Thailand.

-Thailand News (TN)