KOH SAMUI, Thailand – The Interior Ministry has pledged to intervene and bring an end to the escalating dispute between the owner of an exotic animal zoo on Koh Samui and an Israeli family who were refused entry, with Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee stating on Sunday that administrative action would be taken to resolve the matter. Polapee said he had discussed the issue with the governor of Surat Thani province, whose office oversees the island, and that officials would meet with all parties involved to settle the conflict.

Israeli Family Says Koh Samui Park Refused Entry Due to Nationality

The dispute began when an Israeli couple and their two children, aged six and nine, claimed they were refused entry to Samui Exotic Park on August 12, with earlier reports indicating that signs had been posted at the zoo welcoming Palestinians free of charge while denying entry to Israelis. Following the incident, the zoo operator reportedly received threats and messages calling for the zoo to be expelled from Koh Samui, intensifying tensions on the popular tourist island.

A Facebook user believed to be the zoo operator subsequently accused some Israeli visitors of refusing to pay the admission fee, taking animal feed from other visitors’ baskets, failing to follow the rules, and squeezing milk onto pigs’ faces, though the operator’s claims have not been independently verified.

Thailand- Interior Ministry steps in to resolve Koh Samui zoo dispute with Israeli family

Thailand’s Interior Ministry is stepping in to resolve a dispute between Samui Exotic Park and an Israeli family who claim they were refused entry to the attraction on August 12.

Deputy… https://t.co/YmIyl3if96 pic.twitter.com/RHT2pcvUoj

— Pure Guava (@pureguava10300) August 16, 2026

Polapee emphasized that the row was between the zoo management and expatriates living on the island, rather than involving tourists, and he expressed confidence that administrative officials would bring the dispute to a swift conclusion through direct engagement with all affected parties.

The incident has drawn attention to tensions between local business operators and foreign residents on Koh Samui, with authorities stressing the importance of maintaining harmony and ensuring that all visitors are treated fairly regardless of nationality.

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The Interior Ministry’s intervention signals a commitment to preventing the dispute from escalating further and to upholding Thailand’s reputation as a welcoming destination for international travelers. Officials have not disclosed specific measures to be taken but confirmed that efforts to mediate between the zoo owner and the Israeli family are already underway.

-Thailand News (TN)