On Koh Samui, the Franco-Thai managers of the "Samui Exotic Park" are enduring intense harassment from pro-Israeli activists after displaying a Palestinian flag. Threats, mass negative reviews and provocations are mounting, while police and national authorities investigate and support the owners.
At the end of July, an Israeli resident who owns a restaurant on Bangrak threatened the owners of the « Samui Exotic Park » because they had displayed a Palestinian flag on one of the walls of their small animal park located in Mae Nam. Tensions quickly escalated when the individual called on pro-Israeli activists active on social media for support. The man behind the initial threats was eventually summoned by the Thai authorities, but the situation has not calmed down. On the contrary, the harassment against the Franco-Thai couple running the establishment, has only intensified.
The owners had installed a Palestinian flag after facing repeated misconduct from some Israeli visitors, including, they claim, food theft, unauthorised entry without payment and animal mistreatment. At the time, the park stated it welcomed visitors of all nationalities but required respect for its rules. Following the flag incident, the « Samui Exotic Park » was targeted by a massive campaign of negative Google reviews, a wave of dozens of negative reviews that lowered its rating, as well as the temporary closure of its Instagram account (now reopened) after intervention by Jewish community influencer Tony Attal. TripAdvisor also temporarily suspended new reviews due to the influx of reviews not based on an actual visit.
Local police on Koh Samui visited the site to investigate the threats. The officers confirmed that all animals have legal licences and summoned both parties to attempt a resolution. At the same time, Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liengprasit ordered an immediate inquiry and issued urgent instructions to the governor of Surat Thani and the district chief of Koh Samui.
“The Ministry of the Interior will not tolerate any threat to citizens’ sense of security. Any breach of the law, regardless of the status or nationality of the perpetrator, will be pursued with the utmost firmness and in accordance with equality before the law.” … “Thailand is happy to welcome tourists and investors of good faith, but it will not allow anyone to use violence or influence to sow fear among the population,” he declared.
For its part, the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs also issued a statement that implicitly acknowledges the harassment suffered by the Franco-Thai couple’s park:
Despite this official mobilisation, recent days have seen the harassment intensify. Following calls on social media (notably on X), Israeli visitors have turned up on site, sometimes filming, which the owners interpret as provocations. It appears increasingly difficult for Kevin, a former boxer, to remain calm in the face of this intensive harassment.
On Wednesday 12 August, an Israeli family told an Israeli media outlet they had been refused entry on grounds of nationality and alleged an altercation (including a headbutt) in front of their two daughters. The filmed altercation was edited and circulated by pro-Israeli accounts (below). The tourist police are investigating this latest incident. The owner later responded with a provocation by posting an image of an Israeli flag crossed out next to a shooting target.
Kevin doesn’t seems to have a habit of staying quiet, he replies with ironic and provocative posts that can even drive crazy his critics:
On Thursday evening (13 August), dozens of pro-Israeli accounts shared the story (on X), sometimes with comments inciting violent action. Kevin, for his part, shared his Instagram inbox filled with hundreds of insults and threats…
Despite the media storm that began on social media, the couple enjoys strong support from the local population. Local, regional and now national authorities have fully taken up the matter.
Instead of simply ignoring the establishment, some activists are seeking to turn it into a symbol in the fight against antisemitism, even though the methods employed here only heighten the tensions already present in Thailand for several months…
The situation could soon take a decisive new turn… And of course, all of this will be followed on ZoneSamui.com!