Thai officials propose visa revocation for Israeli tourist on Koh Phangan
A local committee on the island recommends the step after two police complaints allege the woman used services without paying and threatened staff.
By Fatou Kim ·
A committee on the Thai island of Koh Phangan has recommended revoking the visa of 33-year-old Einav Ashuel.
The Special Committee for Reviewing the Behavior of Foreign Nationals announced the decision on Thursday. Local police filed two complaints against Ashuel, alleging she displayed threatening and abusive behavior toward hotel employees and tourists.
The district administration stated that during visits to Than Sadet National Park and a local hotel, Ashuel used services without payment. Officials said she shouted, cursed, and insulted staff. The complaints also alleged she threatened physical harm to employees and visitors.
District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen chaired the Thursday meeting where the recommendation was made. The panel included local police commanders, immigration representatives, and tourist police. The committee referred the case to immigration police for further action.
Authorities have not confirmed if the visa has been formally revoked or if Ashuel has been deported. Neither Ashuel nor Israel's Foreign Ministry had responded to inquiries as of Thursday.
This action follows a series of enforcement measures targeting foreign visitors on Thai islands. In late March, the same committee recommended visa revocations for three Israelis who displayed Chabad flags and distributed leaflets on nearby Koh Tao. A Chabad website reported those three were later deported. In September, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a deportation order for Israeli citizen Yaakov Ohayon. Ohayon was convicted of making threats during a dispute at a zoo on Koh Samui. He 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 for conduct in the same dispute.
The Koh Phangan district chief stated in early April that visas for 13 foreign tourists had been revoked in the preceding period due to inappropriate behavior. In May, the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok issued a warning to travelers after Phuket province stepped up law enforcement. The embassy noted that local officials were instructed to impose stricter penalties, including visa revocation, for serious violations.
