Thai Island Panel Backs Visa Revocation for Israeli Woman Citing Two Complaints
A special committee on Koh Phangan recommended ending the stay of a 33-year-old visitor after she allegedly used services without payment and threatened staff.
By Marco Kapoor ·
Two police complaints form the basis of a recommendation to revoke the visa of Einav Ashuel, a 33-year-old Israeli woman visiting Thailand. The Special Committee for Reviewing the Behavior of Foreign Nationals on Koh Phangan announced the decision on Thursday. Local authorities stated that the complaints alleged threatening and abusive behavior toward hotel employees and tourists.
District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen chaired the meeting where the committee voted for the recommendation. Representatives from local police, immigration authorities, and the tourist police were present. The district administration stated that Ashuel visited Than Sadet National Park and a hotel where she used services without paying. Officials said she shouted, cursed, insulted staff, and threatened to physically harm employees and visitors during these incidents.
The committee referred the case to immigration police for further action. Authorities have not yet confirmed if the visa has been formally revoked or if Ashuel has been deported. Neither Ashuel nor the Israeli Foreign Ministry had issued a response as of the announcement.
This action continues a trend of stricter enforcement against foreign visitors on popular Thai islands. In late March, the same Koh Phangan committee recommended revoking the visas of three Israeli men. They had displayed Chabad flags and distributed leaflets for Passover activities on nearby Koh Tao. Thai officials said the activities concerned residents and business owners. A report on a Chabad website noted that the three men were later deported.
In September, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a deportation order for Yaakov Ohayon, an Israeli citizen convicted of making threats during a dispute at a zoo on Koh Samui. Ohayon received a suspended 15-day prison sentence and a 5,000 baht fine. A deportation order was also issued against the zoo’s French owner over his conduct in the same dispute.
The enforcement measures apply to all nationalities. In early April, the Koh Phangan district chief announced that 13 foreign tourists had their visas revoked for inappropriate behavior. He stated that inspections would continue to protect residents and visitors. In May, the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok warned travelers after Phuket officials stepped up local law enforcement. The embassy urged Israelis to follow local rules to avoid legal or immigration consequences.
