Surat Thani immigration forces captured Matan Aviv, a senior figure in the Israeli criminal gang “Avenger”, holed up in a luxury villa on Koh Samui with three accomplices.
On 30 April 2026, under the orders of Plt.Gen. Phanumas Bunyalak, commander of the Immigration Office (Immigration Bureau), and several senior officers such as Plt.Col. Chutheres Yingyong Domrogsakul, head of the 6th Immigration Region, an operation was launched in Surat Thani to track down “undesirable foreigners”.
The authorities targeted high-ranking members of foreign criminal organisations illegally residing in Thailand. Matan Aviv, 28 years old, turned out to be a key commander of the “Avenger” gang, a mafia organisation founded in Israel, with a lengthy criminal record including thefts, arms trafficking, fraud and attempted arson.
The investigation, conducted in coordination with the police attaché at the Israeli embassy in Bangkok, located Matan Aviv, wanted via an Interpol notice issued on 17 April 2026. He is accused of complicity in serious crimes, obstruction of justice and acts threatening public safety by the Hadera district court.
“Matan Aviv is involved in ongoing cases including murders, illegal explosions, drug trafficking and possession of explosives, classifying him as a dangerous individual who may be armed and violent.”
On 29 April 2026 at 4pm, Surat Thani immigration officers raided a luxury villa in the Koh Samui district, where Matan Aviv was hiding with three henchmen. The suspect was notified of the revocation of his permission to stay and placed in detention pending extradition to Israel.
His accomplices were recorded and their details passed to the Israeli authorities for verification. If they prove to be dangerous, measures will be taken.
Plt.Col. Chutheres Yingyong Domrogsakul emphasised that this arrest aligns with the policy of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, National Police Commander Plt.Gen. Kittirat Phunpech and the Immigration Chief.
“We firmly crack down on transnational crimes and foreigners who break the law in Thailand. All offenders will be prosecuted without exception, and we call on foreign residents to scrupulously respect the rules.”
