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🇫🇷 France /Culture & Society

French expat in Thailand accused of barring Israeli tourists from animal park

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A French expatriate in Thailand, identified as Kévin D., is accused of refusing entry to Israeli tourists at his animal park on Koh Samui.
  • Videos circulating online show him making aggressive and discriminatory remarks towards Jewish visitors, including barring entry based on nationality.
  • The incident has sparked outrage, with a French lawmaker denouncing the "banalization of evil," and Thai authorities have launched an investigation.

A French expatriate living in Thailand is at the center of a controversy after allegedly refusing entry to Israeli tourists at his animal park on the island of Koh Samui. Kévin D., originally from Villeurbanne, France, is accused of discriminatory practices against Jewish visitors.

Stay home, Jews, stay away from my park. Don't try (sic), since this morning they are trying to come. You will get slapped, I tell you.

— Kévin D.Aggressive remarks reportedly made by the park owner towards Israeli visitors, captured in a widely shared video.

Widely circulated videos capture Kévin D. making aggressive statements in French and English, reportedly telling Jewish people to "stay home" and "stay away from my park." In one video, he is seen showing a sign with a crossed-out Israeli flag, seemingly prohibiting entry to Israeli nationals. A target riddled with bullet holes was also reportedly displayed near the sign.

I am not racist, I have nothing against Jews.

— Kévin D.The park owner's statement to Le Figaro, while admitting to discriminatory entry practices.

The incident has drawn condemnation from various quarters. Caroline Yadan, a French lawmaker representing French citizens abroad, expressed "profound disgust at the banalization of evil." The matter has also attracted attention from Zionist accounts on social media, amplifying calls for official responses. Thai authorities have reportedly launched an investigation into the alleged discriminatory actions. Kévin D., however, denies being racist, claiming he has nothing against Jewish people, but admits to "discrimination at the entrance of my park," asserting that "everyone does this here."

Everyone does this here, I am not the only one.

— Kévin D.The park owner's justification for his alleged discriminatory actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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