Thailand: Koh Phangan panel advises ending visa of Israeli woman

A local committee on the Thai island of Koh Phangan voted on Thursday to recommend the revocation of the visa for a 33-year-old Israeli woman named Einav Ashuel. The decision follows two formal police complaints regarding her conduct toward hotel staff and tourists.

The Special Committee for Reviewing the Behavior of Foreign Nationals made the recommendation after a meeting chaired by District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen. Attendees included local police commanders, immigration representatives, and tourist police. The panel has forwarded the case to immigration police for further processing.

District administration officials stated that Ashuel used services without paying during visits to Than Sadet National Park and a local hotel. They alleged she shouted, cursed, and insulted employees during these encounters. Officials also reported that she threatened to physically harm both staff and other tourists.

This action is part of a series of enforcement measures taken against foreign visitors on Thailand's popular islands. In late March, the same committee recommended revoking the visas of three Israelis who displayed Chabad flags and distributed leaflets for Passover activities on nearby Koh Tao. A report on a Chabad website indicated those three individuals were later deported.

In September, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a deportation order for Israeli citizen Yaakov Ohayon. Ohayon had been 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 5,000 baht fine. A French citizen who owned the zoo also received a deportation order for his conduct in the same incident.

The district chief noted in early April that 13 foreign tourists had their visas revoked in the preceding period for inappropriate behavior. He said inspections would continue to protect residents and visitors. In May, the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok issued a warning to travelers after Phuket authorities stepped up law enforcement. The embassy urged Israelis to follow local rules to avoid legal consequences.