KOH SAMUI, Thailand – The visas of foreigners who threatened the life of a private-zoo owner on Koh Samui have been revoked, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Tuesday, marking a decisive step in the government’s response to foreign visitors causing problems in Thailand. The minister stated that the owner of Samui Exotic Park’s life was endangered by the threats, and the cancellation of visas was among the decisive measures being taken against visitors causing problems in the country.

Israeli Man Fined Over Threats to Koh Samui Zoo

Surasak emphasised that the government places importance on problems involving foreign tourists, including recent conflicts, and the prime minister has instructed provincial authorities, tourist police, and regional police to swiftly and decisively tackle these issues. Although the minister did not name the people whose visas were revoked or specify how many or their nationalities, reports indicated that Thailand has revoked the visa of an Israeli tourist accused of causing trouble and allegedly putting a bounty on the owner of the open zoo on Koh Samui.

The recent conflict at the zoo involved an Israeli man, known only as Jacob, who resides on the resort island, and the Koh Samui Provincial Court on Thursday fined him 5,000 baht for making a threat against the life of zoo owner Jindarat Sattayapun and her family in a Facebook post, after an Israeli family was barred from entering the zoo on August 12. The court suspended the fine for two years and ordered him to respect Thai laws.

Jindarat has said the zoo decided to deny entry to Israeli visitors because they acted improperly and ignored zoo rules, including taking purchased animal feed from the baskets of other visitors. The visa revocation signals the government’s determination to take firm action against foreign nationals whose conduct threatens public order or undermines the country’s tourism industry, particularly in popular destinations such as Koh Samui.

Ministry moves to resolve Israeli-zoo owner dispute on Koh Samui

Authorities have reiterated that while Thailand welcomes tourists from around the world, all visitors must respect Thai law and culture, and those who cause disruption will face consequences.

-Thailand News (TN)