French Zoo Owner Reports to Immigration Over Deportation Order

SURAT THANI — French national Kevin Dimino, owner of a zoo on Koh Samui, reported to immigration authorities on September 8, 2026, to acknowledge a deportation order while denying he had fled and stating his intention to appeal the decision.

Dimino arrived at Surat Thani Immigration accompanied by his wife Jindarat and a lawyer. He met Pol. Col. Naruwat Phutthawiro, superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration, and a Koh Samui district official.

Authorities formally read the deportation order to Dimino and recorded his acknowledgement. He was subsequently taken to Koh Samui Police Station to be held pending procedures to deport him to France.

Authorities said Dimino and his Israeli counterpart in the dispute, Yakov Ohayon, would be detained at separate police stations as a precaution against further confrontation. Ohayon is to be held at Bo Phut Police Station, while Dimino will remain at Koh Samui Police Station.

The Department of Provincial Administration released a statement outlining allegations of conduct it said posed a threat to society. The allegations included threatening and verbally abusing the owner and teachers of a local language school; physically assaulting a Turkish national and threatening him with a knife; behaving abusively and using offensive language outside a private establishment; assaulting a foreign tourist and throwing a sign at the person; and making offensive remarks toward the tourist's family.

Authorities also cited a social media post allegedly encouraging people opposed to foreigners from certain countries to gather at the zoo in what officials described as a symbolic political and religious demonstration that could contribute to racial, religious and political divisions.

Another incident cited by authorities involved Dimino allegedly being removed from a domestic flight after a fellow passenger was threatened.

The Department of Provincial Administration said the alleged conduct was considered contrary to public order, public morals and the well-being of the public, and could create divisions over race, religion and politics or damage relations between Thailand and other countries.

Dimino's wife Jindarat disputed the characterization of her husband's actions and said she was confused by the deportation order, arguing that Dimino had been acting to protect her as his wife.

She acknowledged that Dimino had gone to a business establishment in Bo Phut on August 29 after they allegedly received threats that the business would be shut down. She said he had shouted at people there, which resulted in a harassment complaint.

Jindarat also rejected reports that her husband had disappeared after the deportation order was signed.

"He did not disappear. He was still in the Ban Tai area having steak," she said, adding that it was a Monday, when the zoo was closed. She said no authorities had contacted or visited them despite having ways to reach the family.