BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Monday that Thailand must enforce its laws after ordering the deportation of a French national, the second foreigner expelled from the country following a high-profile dispute on Koh Samui. Speaking at Parliament, Anutin said the deportation was carried out under existing regulations and stressed that the law must be applied when necessary. “Once there is a law, it must be used,” Anutin said when asked about the deportation of French national Kevin Dimino.
Dimino, a local zoo owner on Koh Samui, was ordered deported on Monday after authorities cited aggressive behavior, threats, physical assault, public disturbance and conduct that could inflame racial and religious tensions among tourists. The order followed a ruling by the Koh Samui Provincial Court, which fined Dimino 5,000 baht for traffic violations after he pleaded guilty. Anutin said Dimino has the right to appeal the deportation order. Under the relevant procedures, any appeal must be submitted to the prime minister because the Interior Ministry issued the deportation order.
Asked whether the first foreign national deported under the new rules, Israeli national Yaacov Ohayon, had submitted an appeal, Anutin said he had not yet seen an appeal. “He has to appeal to the prime minister,” Anutin said, adding that authorities must wait for any appeal to be formally submitted. The government has recently stepped up action against foreign nationals whose conduct authorities consider contrary to public order, good morals or public welfare. Ohayon was deported on Sept. 5 in connection with the same dispute involving Dimino.
Asked whether more foreigners could be deported, Anutin said anyone whose behavior is considered unacceptable could face removal from Thailand. “If someone behaves badly, Thailand does not want such people to remain in the country,” he said. Anutin was also asked about reports concerning a possible cemetery for Israeli nationals in Chachoengsao province.
He said he had received a report from Deputy Interior Minister General Peer Suwannachwee, who confirmed that there was no such development and that no further action was being taken. Asked whether foreign nationals can establish cemeteries in Thailand, Anutin said he was not certain about the legal details and suggested that the matter be clarified with the deputy interior minister.
The prime minister was also questioned about whether problems involving foreigners in Thailand were becoming more widespread. “Not many,” Anutin replied. “That question is incorrect. It has all been resolved.”
The government has introduced new deportation procedures allowing authorities to remove foreign nationals considered to pose a threat to public order or national interests, while providing an appeal mechanism through the prime minister. Anutin said the government would continue enforcing the law while handling cases involving foreign nationals through established legal procedures.
