Koh Phangan officials refer Israeli visitor's visa case to immigration
District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen led a committee that voted to end the stay of Einav Ashuel after two police complaints documented her conduct at a national park and a hotel.
By Pedro Barnes ·
The Special Committee for Reviewing the Behavior of Foreign Nationals on Koh Phangan voted on Thursday to recommend the revocation of a visitor's visa. The action targets Einav Ashuel, a 33-year-old Israeli woman, following formal complaints from local law enforcement regarding her conduct toward staff and other tourists.
Two police complaints were filed against Ashuel by local authorities. The district administration stated that during visits to Than Sadet National Park and a hotel, she used services without payment. Officials alleged that she shouted, cursed, and insulted employees. The complaints further noted that she threatened to physically harm both staff members and tourists.
District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen chaired the Thursday meeting where the recommendation was finalized. The session included local police commanders, representatives from the immigration and tourist police, and other senior local officials. The committee formally referred the case to the immigration police for further processing. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the visa has been cancelled or if Ashuel has been deported. Neither Ashuel nor Israel's Foreign Ministry has provided a public response to the recommendation.
This decision continues a pattern of enforcement actions involving Israeli visitors in Thailand's island regions. In late March, the same committee recommended revoking the visas of three Israelis on Koh Phangan. Those individuals had displayed Chabad Messiah flags, distributed leaflets, and used WhatsApp groups to invite people to Passover activities on nearby Koh Tao. Thai officials said the activities worried residents and business owners. A report from a Chabad website indicated that the three were later deported.
In September, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a deportation order for Israeli citizen Yaakov Ohayon. Ohayon had been convicted of making threats during a dispute at a zoo on Koh Samui. A court sentenced him to a suspended 15-day prison term and fined him 5,000 baht. A deportation order was also issued against the zoo's owner, a French citizen, over his conduct in the same incident.
The enforcement efforts extend beyond Israeli nationals. In early April, the Koh Phangan district chief announced that the visas of 13 foreign tourists had been revoked for inappropriate behavior. He stated that inspections and monitoring would continue to protect the safety of residents and visitors. In May, the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok issued a warning to travelers after authorities in Phuket province increased enforcement of local laws. The embassy noted that officials were instructed to impose stricter penalties, including visa revocation for serious cases, and urged Israelis to follow local rules.
