Thai Panel Urges Visa Cancellation

Two police complaints against a single visitor triggered a formal recommendation to end her legal status on Koh Phangan. The island's Special Committee for Reviewing the Behavior of Foreign Nationals announced on Thursday that it supports revoking the visa of Einav Ashuel, a 33-year-old Israeli woman.

District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen chaired the Thursday session, which included local police commanders, immigration representatives, and tourist police officers. The group reviewed allegations that Ashuel engaged in threatening and abusive behavior toward hotel employees and tourists. The committee has forwarded the case to immigration police for further action. Authorities have not yet confirmed if the visa has been formally canceled or if Ashuel has been removed from the country. Representatives for Ashuel and the Israeli Foreign Ministry had not responded to inquiries as of the announcement.

The district administration statement details the specific incidents. Officials claim Ashuel used services at Than Sadet National Park and a hotel without paying the required fees. During these visits, she allegedly shouted, cursed, and insulted staff. The complaints also note that she threatened to physically harm both employees and tourists.

This enforcement action is part of a pattern involving Israeli visitors in Thailand. In late March, the same committee recommended revoking the visas of three Israelis on nearby Koh Tao. Those individuals had displayed Chabad Messiah flags, distributed leaflets, and used WhatsApp groups to organize Passover events. Thai officials said the activities concerned residents and business owners. A Chabad website later reported that the three were deported.

In September, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a deportation order against Yaakov Ohayon. The Israeli citizen had been convicted of making threats during a dispute at a zoo on Koh Samui. He received a suspended 15-day prison sentence and a fine of 5,000 baht. A deportation order was also issued against the French owner of the zoo. In early April, the Koh Phangan district chief reported that the visas of 13 foreign tourists had been revoked for inappropriate behavior.

The Israeli Embassy in Bangkok issued a special warning to travelers in May. The notice followed increased enforcement in Phuket province, where local officials were instructed to impose stricter penalties. The embassy advised Israelis in Thailand to follow local rules to avoid legal or immigration consequences.