KOH SAMUI, Thailand – An Israeli family visiting Koh Samui says it was refused entry to Samui Exotic Park in Mae Nam because of its nationality, before a confrontation with a man representing the attraction.

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Videos shared online on August 14 show the family, who were accompanied by two young daughters, challenging staff at the park entrance. The footage, recorded by the mother and widely circulated, begins with her speaking to staff behind a counter: “Because we’re from Israel? What have we done to you? We haven’t done anything,” she says in the recording.

The footage then cuts to a man described as representing the zoo telling the family to leave. “Okay, bye. Bye-bye,” he says. When the woman asks for his name, the man responds with profanity. As she repeats the question, he approaches the group and says: “Move off my place.” The man then appears to attempt to headbutt the woman’s husband. She replies, “Okay, okay, we’re leaving. We’re leaving,” before he throws a small white sign in her direction while she continues recording.

The family, residents of Rosh HaAyin, were visiting the attraction during a family vacation with their two daughters, aged 6 and 9. According to the family’s account, a staff member at the entrance asked where they were from. When they replied that they were Israeli, they were told that Israelis were not permitted inside . Moran, the mother, said the couple tried to persuade the employee to let them enter, in part because their daughters had been looking forward to the visit, before the situation escalated.

An Israeli family were denied entry to Samui Exotic Park in Thailand, after staff learned they were from Israel..😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ZkDbmSQSbw

— The Resonance (@Partisan_12) August 13, 2026

The park later posted the CCTV footage of the confrontation. Later Instagram Stories on the park’s official account appeared to reinforce its position. One clip showed an Israeli flag carrying a red no-entry symbol beside a shooting target marked with holes. As the camera moved from the sign to a nearby Free Palestine flag, the person filming could be heard whistling.

The park had previously drawn online criticism for displaying Palestinian flags and a “Free Palestine” sign, with owners complaining about threats from an Israeli tourist and a campaign of negative online reviews . The owner had also previously responded to an online review by stating explicitly: “YES NO ISRAEL IN MY PARK IS CLEAR LIKE THAT”.

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Thailand’s tourist police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the family’s allegations . The Israeli government has reportedly summoned Thailand’s ambassador for an explanation over the incident.

-Thailand News (TN)