A 39-year-old Austrian man has been ordered deported from Thailand after Phuket immigration authorities revoked his visa over repeated drunken and disruptive behaviour in the Rawai area. Officers said the man, identified only as Raphael, had repeatedly harassed local residents, intimidated people in public and damaged Thailand’s tourism image.
Get today's headlines by email 
Police and immigration officers took action on May 19, 2026 after videos circulated on local social media showing the man riding a motorcycle aggressively, blocking traffic and demanding money from people while appearing intoxicated. The posts, shared under the headline “Locals fed up with Austrian man causing trouble in Rawai”, prompted an investigation by Phuket Immigration and Chalong Police Station.
Investigators found that Raphael had entered Thailand legally on a temporary stay permit before obtaining an education visa to study Thai language and culture. Authorities said he had previously received a warning and minor punishment for similar conduct but later reoffended within a short period.
Immigration officials stated that his behaviour included consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances to the point of losing self-control and causing disturbances in public places. They said his actions affected public order, local customs and morality, and harmed the country’s image as a tourist destination.
The operation was carried out under the direction of Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, along with other senior immigration commanders. Maj Gen Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, commander of Immigration Division 6, also supervised the case, while the investigation team was led by Acting Pol Maj Trin Khampathee.
Authorities said the crackdown forms part of wider efforts targeting foreign nationals whose conduct damages Thailand’s tourism reputation. Phuket immigration officers formally revoked Raphael’s permission to remain in the kingdom under Section 54 of the Immigration Act BE 2522.
Bangkokpost reported that officials confirmed that the Austrian national will now be processed for deportation and removed from Thailand in accordance with immigration law. Immigration authorities have not disclosed when the deportation will take place or whether further legal proceedings are pending.
Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid
Join the discussion? 
Already a member? 
Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 21 May 2026