BANGKOK — Thailand’s government has defended its decision to deport a French national from Koh Samui, insisting the move was based on his alleged behaviour and not his nationality after the case sparked widespread attention and debate.
French national Kevin Dimino, a co-owner of Samui Exotic Park, has been ordered to leave Thailand after authorities accused him of threatening and assaulting others, disturbing public order and contributing to racial and religious divisions.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the deportation order on Sept 7.
Now, Thailand’s Interior Ministry has released further details about the case, saying the decision was based on what it described as a pattern of behaviour that threatened public order and could damage relations between Thailand and other countries.
Government says deportation was based on behaviour — not nationality
Thailand’s Interior Ministry said the deportation order was not aimed at Dimino because he was French.
Instead, officials said authorities considered his alleged conduct when deciding to invoke deportation powers.
The ministry stressed that Thailand’s laws would be applied equally to foreigners regardless of nationality.
Officials said the decision was based on allegations that Dimino engaged in threatening, abusive and physically aggressive behaviour, caused public disturbances and contributed to divisions involving race and religion.
The ministry said such conduct was considered contrary to public order, public morals and the well-being of the public.
Thailand releases detailed allegations against French national
In its latest explanation, the Interior Ministry provided a more detailed account of incidents it said were linked to Dimino.
According to authorities, the allegations include:
- Threatening and verbally abusing the owner and teachers of a local language school
- Physically assaulting a Turkish national, allegedly causing a leg injury
- Allegedly using a knife to threaten someone
- Behaving abusively and using offensive language outside a private establishment
- Allegedly assaulting a foreign tourist and throwing a sign at the person
- Making offensive remarks towards the tourist’s family
- Allegedly encouraging people through social media to gather around issues involving foreigners, politics and religion
- Allegedly being removed from a domestic flight after threatening another passenger
These are allegations cited by Thai authorities in support of the deportation order. The detailed claims have been publicly outlined by the Interior Ministry and reported by multiple Thai news outlets.
The government said the alleged behaviour created a risk of conflict involving race, religion and politics.
Frenchman ordered to leave Thailand
The deportation order requires Dimino to leave Thailand.
He has seven days after being notified of the order to appeal the decision.
The case falls under Thailand’s deportation laws and regulations governing the removal of foreigners whose conduct is considered a threat to public order.
The order was signed by Anutin in his capacity as Interior Minister, while he also serves as Prime Minister.
The decision was reportedly supported in part by a Koh Samui Provincial Court ruling involving Dimino.
The court found him guilty of offences under Thailand’s Land Traffic Act and imposed a fine that was reduced to 5,000 baht following his guilty plea, according to reports.
Case linked to controversial Koh Samui dispute
The case gained widespread attention following a series of incidents involving Dimino and Israeli visitors on Koh Samui.
Dimino is a co-owner of Samui Exotic Park with his Thai wife.
The dispute became internationally known after controversy involving Israeli visitors and a Palestinian flag displayed at the zoo.
Dimino later became involved in a confrontation with an Israeli family that was captured on video and widely shared online.
The controversy intensified further after authorities said the incidents escalated into a broader dispute involving nationality, race and religion.
Israeli national was also ordered deported
Dimino is not the first foreigner ordered out of Thailand under the government’s tougher deportation procedures.
Israeli national Yaacov Ohayon was also ordered to leave Thailand following a separate case connected to events on Koh Samui.
Thai authorities have emphasised that both cases demonstrate that the law is not being applied selectively based on nationality.
The government has repeatedly argued that deportation decisions are based on an individual’s conduct and whether authorities believe it threatens public order or public safety.
Thailand sends message to misbehaving foreigners
The case comes after Thailand introduced updated procedures designed to make deportation cases more systematic.
Officials have stressed that the updated regulations do not create entirely new deportation powers.
Instead, they provide clearer procedures for government agencies to use powers already available under Thailand’s existing Deportation Act.
The government says the changes are intended to improve coordination between agencies, establish clearer responsibilities and allow authorities to respond more quickly to serious cases involving foreigners.
The Interior Ministry has also insisted that the measures apply equally to all nationalities.
Why the case is attracting attention
Thailand is one of the world’s most popular destinations for tourists and long-term foreign residents.
Millions of foreigners visit or live in the country every year.
That makes cases involving deportation particularly significant.
The government must balance Thailand’s reputation as a welcoming tourism destination with concerns about:
- Public safety
- Crime
- Community tensions
- Public disturbances
- Behaviour by foreign residents and tourists
The Dimino case has become particularly controversial because it involves allegations surrounding race and religion, as well as a dispute between foreign nationals on one of Thailand’s most popular resort islands.
Koh Samui attracts visitors from around the world and has a large international community.
Authorities appear determined to prevent personal disputes from escalating into broader tensions between different nationalities or religious groups.
Government: Thailand will not tolerate actions that create division
Thailand’s Interior Ministry said the decision to deport Dimino was intended to protect public order and maintain safety for both Thai citizens and foreigners living in the country.
Officials said the alleged conduct had the potential to create serious divisions and damage Thailand’s relationships with other countries.
The ministry said enforcement would be based on behaviour rather than nationality.
That message is particularly important given that the two recent deportation cases involved nationals from different countries.
The government’s position is clear:
Foreign visitors and residents are welcome in Thailand — but authorities say they will take action when an individual’s behaviour is considered a serious threat to public order.
What happens next?
Dimino can appeal the deportation order within seven days of receiving notification.
Until the appeal process is resolved, the case remains subject to Thailand’s legal and administrative procedures.
The deportation order has already attracted international attention, particularly because of the controversy involving Israeli visitors and the allegations surrounding religious and racial tensions.
Meanwhile, Thai authorities have signalled that the Dimino case could serve as an example of how the government intends to use its strengthened deportation procedures going forward.
The bottom line
Thailand’s government is standing firmly behind its decision to deport French national Kevin Dimino from Koh Samui, saying the order was based on his alleged conduct — not his nationality.
The Interior Ministry has cited allegations ranging from threats and physical assault to public disturbances and actions authorities say contributed to racial and religious division.
Dimino has also been fined 5,000 baht by the Koh Samui Provincial Court in a separate case under the Land Traffic Act, according to reports.
He has seven days to appeal the deportation order.
The case is now being closely watched as one of the first major tests of Thailand’s updated procedures for removing foreigners deemed to have seriously violated public order.
And Thailand’s message appears unmistakable: authorities say the same rules will apply to every foreigner — regardless of where they come from.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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