An Israeli mother, 62, and her 23-year-old daughter were seriously injured in an alleged assault on Koh Pha Ngan after a man asked where they were from and was told they were Israeli.
The suspect, who holds a French passport, was later arrested after allegedly becoming involved in another violent incident. The women said they believe the attack was connected to a discussion about the war in Gaza.
Attack followed question about Israel
The mother had travelled to Thailand for a two-week visit while her daughter was already travelling in the country. They rode a motorcycle to a waterfall on Koh Pha Ngan and parked near the road before walking about 100 metres towards the site.
They were buying a coconut when a man on a motorcycle stopped behind them and began talking to them, the mother told Ynet from her hospital bed.
"He asked my daughter where we were from, and she said Israel," she said. The man then challenged them over the war in Gaza, telling them: "I don't like what Israel is doing there."
The mother said she told him they were on holiday and did not want to discuss the issue. He replied, "I'm against violence," before the exchange ended.
Moments later, she said, the man called to them from above, came down towards them and attacked. "Out of nowhere, he started beating me viciously and bit my ear," she said.
Her daughter tried to protect her and was also beaten. The mother said she was struck on the head and apparently lost consciousness.
Both women needed surgery
The daughter ran towards the road to get help and called out to two French women. The suspect chased her, according to the mother, but fled on his motorcycle when he saw other people nearby.
Police and an ambulance were called, and the women were taken to a hospital on Koh Pha Ngan. Medical staff decided both required surgery after a CT scan found bleeding in the mother's head, prompting their transfer by boat to a hospital on Koh Samui.
Their conditions were initially described as serious but later stabilised. The mother spent 24 hours in intensive care, while her daughter underwent surgery on her nose. The mother had surgery on her ear and said she may need another operation.
Arrest linked to separate incident
The mother said police later told them the suspect had gone to another town, caused a disturbance and attacked police officers. Officers did not initially know he was connected to the assault on the two women.
After police spoke with the women and the daughter gave a statement, they recalled the suspect's name. Police then identified him as the same man allegedly involved in their case, the mother said.
She said she had considered Thailand welcoming towards Israelis and had not expected such an attack. "We will learn not to say we are from Israel, because you can never know how someone will react," she said.
Pictures courtesy of Ynet
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14 August 2026
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