Israeli Man Becomes First Target of Thailand’s New Deportation Rules

An Israeli man convicted after threatening the owners of a zoo on Koh Samui has become the first foreigner ordered deported under Thailand’s new rules.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, acting as interior minister, signed the order against Yaacov Ohayon, a real estate developer who also operates a sandwich business on the island. The case followed a dispute at Samui Exotic Park, whose Thai owner and French husband had displayed a “Free Palestine” sign.

According to the Interior Ministry order, Ohayon posted threatening messages online and organized a campaign of one-star reviews against the business. Police arrested him after the business owner, Jindarat Sattayapun, said he had posted a Facebook threat against her life.

The Koh Samui Provincial Court convicted Ohayon under Section 392 of the Criminal Code. It initially sentenced him to one month in prison and fined him 10,000 baht. After he pleaded guilty, the sentence was cut in half to 15 days in prison, suspended for two years, and a 5,000-baht fine.

The ministry said his conduct caused fear and alarm and violated Thai law. It deemed the behavior contrary to public order, good morals or public wellbeing, placing him within the scope of deportation under Section 5 of the Deportation Act.

Ohayon can appeal the order to the prime minister within seven days of receiving notice. Cabinet-approved regulations now set procedures for deporting foreigners in two categories: those whose conduct threatens public order, good morals or public wellbeing, and those convicted of specific offenses. Thailand previously lacked a standing procedural framework specifically governing deportation, despite having laws authorizing it.