Koh Phangan: Committee recommends visa revocation for Israeli visitor
District officials on the Thai island cited two police complaints regarding unpaid services and verbal threats toward staff.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
The Special Committee for Reviewing the Behavior of Foreign Nationals on Koh Phangan recommended revoking the visa of Einav Ashuel, a 33-year-old Israeli woman. The committee made this recommendation during a meeting held on Thursday, October 22, 2026. District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen chaired the session, which included local police commanders and representatives from immigration and tourist police.
The decision followed two police complaints filed against Ashuel. Authorities alleged she engaged in threatening and abusive behavior toward employees and tourists. According to the Koh Phangan district administration, Ashuel used services without payment during visits to Than Sadet National Park and a hotel. Officials stated she shouted, cursed, insulted staff, and threatened physical harm.
The committee referred the case to immigration police for further action. As of Thursday, authorities had not confirmed whether the visa had been formally revoked or if Ashuel had been deported. Neither Ashuel nor Israel’s Foreign Ministry had issued a response to the recommendation.
This action is part of a series of enforcement measures involving foreign visitors on Thai islands. In late March, the same committee recommended revoking the visas of three Israelis. Those individuals displayed Chabad flags, distributed leaflets, and used WhatsApp to invite people to Passover events on Koh Tao. A report on a Chabad website indicated the three were later deported. Thai officials said the activities worried residents and could disrupt public order.
In September, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a deportation order for Yaakov Ohayon, an Israeli citizen. Ohayon was convicted of making threats during a dispute at a zoo on Koh Samui. A court sentenced him to a suspended 15-day prison term and a fine of 5,000 baht. A deportation order was also issued against the zoo’s French owner over his conduct in the same incident.
The district has applied similar measures to other nationalities. In early April, the Koh Phangan district chief announced that visas for 13 foreign tourists were revoked due to inappropriate behavior. He stated that inspections and monitoring would continue to protect residents and visitors. In May, the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok issued a warning to travelers after Phuket authorities stepped up enforcement. The embassy urged Israelis to follow local rules to avoid legal or immigration consequences.
