SURAT THANI – Immigration authorities have revoked the visa of a 33-year-old Israeli woman following repeated complaints about disruptive behaviour on Koh Phangan, including alleged threats against national park staff and ordering hotel guests to leave, police said on Tuesday.
The woman, identified by authorities as Enav Ashual, entered Thailand on a tourist visa on 26 September. Immigration officials are preparing to deport her to Israel and propose placing her on a blacklist barring her from re-entering Thailand.
Police said the latest incidents occurred on 18 October at Phaeng Waterfall in Than Sadet-Ko Pha-ngan National Park, where she allegedly shouted abuse, threatened to assault park staff and ordered other visitors to leave.
On 21 October, she allegedly caused a disturbance at a hotel on the island, verbally abused staff and told guests to leave, claiming the property was her private hotel. Authorities also cited complaints that she had failed to pay for hotel services.
The complaints were reviewed at a meeting of local officials and relevant agencies on 22 October. The committee agreed to recommend revoking her permission to stay, citing concerns about public order and the island’s tourism image.
Pol. Col. Charoenphong Khantilo, spokesman for Immigration Division 6, said immigration police had been instructed to closely monitor foreign nationals in major tourist destinations, including Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and take legal action against those found breaking the law.
Immigration Division 6 chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Chutharet Yingyongdamrongkun subsequently approved the visa revocation. Immigration officers in Surat Thani have served the order and detained the woman pending deportation proceedings.
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