KOH SAMUI, Thailand – French national Kevin Dimino, the co-owner of Samui Exotic Park who has been ordered deported from Thailand, has been located on Koh Samui and appeared before Surat Thani Immigration officials, with authorities saying he had not fled the island. Dimino appeared with his Thai wife, Jindarat Satyaphan, before Pol. Col. Naruewat Phutthawiro, superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration, and Koh Samui district official Jare Tungkaew.
Immigration officials formally read the deportation order to Dimino, citing a series of alleged incidents that authorities said demonstrated behaviour posing a serious threat to public order.
The order cited allegations that Dimino had verbally abused and harassed the owner and teachers of a language school, physically assaulted a Turkish national and threatened him while carrying a knife.
Authorities also cited alleged disruptive behaviour, including shouting and using offensive language outside private premises, and an incident in which he allegedly assaulted a foreign tourist and threw a sign at the person while using inappropriate language toward the tourist’s family. The deportation order also referred to social-media posts allegedly inviting people who opposed or disliked foreigners from certain countries to gather at his zoo in what authorities described as a symbolic political and religious demonstration, potentially creating racial, religious and political divisions.
Another incident cited by authorities involved Dimino being removed from a domestic passenger flight after allegedly threatening another passenger. Following the immigration procedure, Dimino was taken to make an official record of the case and was placed in custody at Koh Samui Police Station while awaiting the process of returning him to France.
Authorities said he was being held separately from Yaacov Ohayon, the Israeli national involved in the wider dispute, to prevent any further confrontation between the two men. The case follows a highly publicised dispute on Koh Samui involving Dimino, his zoo and Israeli visitors. International reports have also confirmed that Thailand has ordered Dimino’s deportation amid allegations of aggressive behaviour, threats and conduct that authorities said could contribute to religious and racial division.
Jindarat said she was confused by the deportation order against her husband, arguing that the couple considered themselves the victims in the dispute. She said Dimino had acted to protect her after they received threats that their business would be closed.
Jindarat acknowledged that Dimino went to the entrance of the Sabak business on Aug. 29 and shouted at people there, but said this happened after they had allegedly been threatened.
The case has become part of a wider debate over the behaviour of foreign visitors and residents in Thailand and the authorities’ power to remove foreigners whose conduct is considered inappropriate or harmful to public order.
Thai authorities have recently stepped up enforcement against foreigners accused of serious misconduct. The government has stressed that visitors are welcome but must respect Thai law, customs and local communities. Dimino remains in custody on Koh Samui pending the next steps in the deportation process. (TNA)
