Immigration Officials Hunt French Zoo Owner After Deportation Order

Immigration officials in Surat Thani are intensifying their search for Kevin Dimino, a French national and owner of Samui Exotic Park, following a deportation order signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister. Dimino has not yet been apprehended. According to reports, at 1 p.m. on September 7, after the deportation order was issued, Dimino was spotted driving a BMW sedan at high speed into the zoo and standing in front of the entrance before disappearing. Immigration authorities are continuing their search, and once Dimino is taken into custody, he will be held at Bo Phut Police Station pending deportation procedures. This separation of detention locations is intended to prevent conflict between Dimino and another detainee, Israeli national Yakof Ohayom, who is being held at Koh Samui Police Station. According to procedures, Deputy Commander Nurawat Buddhaviro of Surat Thani Immigration will use authority under the Deportation Act to take Dimino into custody. The deportee has the right to appeal the deportation order to the Prime Minister within seven days of receiving notice. Meanwhile, Yakof Ohayom is coordinating to request bail with the Interior Minister and preparing to file an appeal within the legal timeframe. Social media page CSILA posted commentary questioning the deportation, noting that Dimino has operated the exotic park for years as a family attraction for Thai children and tourists, while questioning why other foreign nationals who create problems or damage local reputation remain unpunished, suggesting possible preferential treatment based on nationality.