Thai support for Kevin Dimino remains strong and forms part of a wider context of incidents involving tourists and businesses now refusing certain Israeli visitors.
On Koh Samui, Frenchman Kevin Dimino, who runs the Samui Exotic Park in Mae Nam with his wife Jin, enjoys strong popular backing. Thailand’s popular Facebook page « IG.dara » shared Kevin’s appeal: the post generated around 18,000 reactions and more than 1,400 comments, overwhelmingly favourable, with Thai readers describing him as a « Thai son-in-law ».
This support is partly explained by the current climate in Thailand. Several tourist areas, notably Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Pai, have seen incidents involving visitors of various nationalities in recent months. Local businesses have begun refusing entry to certain Israeli tourists, citing behaviour deemed disrespectful of the rules, refusals to pay or tensions with staff. Citizens’ groups have even sent a letter to the Israeli embassy calling for greater respect for Thai laws and customs.
A Thai vendor faced a group of Israeli tourists outside his shop on the island of Phuket before asking them to leave.
According to the vendor, one of them stared at him threateningly, as if looking to start an altercation, before provoking him… pic.twitter.com/R1yHeQU1TT
— Torche360 (@torche360) August 26, 2026
Another incident of the same type in Phuket
See also: Koh Phangan: a restaurant displays “No Israel” on its door and receives threats
Kevin Dimino spoke publicly on the matter:
“I have lived in Thailand for more than ten years. I have my family and my business here. Foreigners who come here must respect Thailand, the Thais and the law of this country.”
Jin and Kevin were then invited to speak on an edition of Thai channel « Channel 8 ». The extract below is taken from that appearance:
The precise facts of the park case have already been widely documented. The affair is still viewed in two ways: abroad, mainly as a refusal of entry on grounds of nationality; in Thailand, mainly as the defence of the host country’s rules by a mixed couple settled locally. Local support remains visible on social media and among citizens’ groups; on the authorities’ side, the case has led to complaints, a fine for threats and the revocation of the visa of an Israeli national involved in the threats.
In a context where several establishments have chosen to filter certain visitors and where the authorities are stepping up checks on tourist behaviour and nominee companies, the popularity of Kevin Dimino among Thais illustrates a broader expectation: that the country’s rules be applied equally to everyone.
Sources: IG.dara, Facebook, X, Bangkok Post, The Nation, Channel 8, ZoneSamui articles