The owner of Samui Exotic Park and her husband have filed a complaint with Thailand's Crime Suppression Division, alleging that a group of Israeli tourists threatened them and said they would burn down the animal park on Koh Samui. Jindarat, 35, who asked for her surname to be withheld, went to police on 24 August with her husband and Sukh Saknarongdet, president of the Siam Volunteer group. They said the alleged harassment had left them fearing for their safety, property and the animals in their care. The complaint follows a dispute in which the park reportedly refused to admit members of the group because of concerns over their behaviour towards animals. Claims of threats after park refusal Jindarat said the visitors had previously disregarded the park's rules, including allegedly not paying, seeking refunds and acting in ways that could endanger animals. She said the park then flagged the group and decided not to allow them onto the premises. After that decision, she said threatening messages arrived repeatedly, including threats to harm family members, burn their home and set fire to the animal park. The group was also alleged to have claimed that Koh Samui belonged to Israel and that they could do anything on the island. They allegedly said they knew a number of police officers and lawyers. Jindarat questioned why the people involved appeared so confident and whether anyone was supporting them. She said people had also driven to her home, parked outside and repeatedly circled the area, making her feel she was being watched. Home destroyed by fire after threat The situation escalated, according to Jindarat, when there was a threat to burn down her husband's mother's home in France. Shortly afterwards, the house was destroyed in a fire. That fire remains under investigation by authorities. She said Thai and foreign residents of Koh Samui had offered support, with some saying they had experienced similar behaviour but had been afraid to speak publicly. Jindarat said refusing service to the group was intended to protect the park, not to create a conflict with any nationality. She called for everybody in Thailand to respect the same laws and rules. Park manager admits visiting other business Jindarat acknowledged reports that her husband, who manages the park, went to the front of the other party's business. However, she denied he threatened to make Israelis unable to remain on Koh Samui. She said video footage recorded the incident from the time he was in his vehicle, arrived, spoke to people there and left. The footage could be provided to investigators. According to Jindarat, her husband drove there after receiving a message challenging him to come over if he was brave enough, saying the sender knew where he was. She said he became angry and drove to the location. She said her side was prepared to accept responsibility for its own actions and would provide evidence and video recordings for officials to assess. Impatient Thais urges Israeli embassy to promote respect for Thai law Also at the meeting was Akkarawut Kraisrisombat, chairman of Impatient Thais civic network, who later submitted a letter to the Embassy of Israel in Thailand. The network called on the embassy to cooperate in promoting greater understanding of and respect for Thai laws, customs and culture among Israeli nationals living in or visiting Thailand. Impatient Thais said it had received complaints from Thai people in several areas and provinces, with some cases recently reported by Thai media. The group alleged that Israeli tourists and residents had intimidated or harassed Thai residents, tourists and business operators in Phuket, Surat Thani, including Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, and Pai district in Mae Hong Son. It said the complaints included social, business and property disputes, which it claimed had caused concern among local communities and prompted widespread criticism in Thai society. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Related stories Samui-visa-action-sought-over-Palestinian-flag-row Court-fines-Israeli-man-over-Koh-Samui-zoo-threat Israeli-family-says-Koh-Samui-park-refused-entry Interior-ministry-steps-into-Samui-zoo-entry-dispute Fire-probe-in-France-at-Samui-park-manager-mothers-home Join the discussion? 25 August 2026
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