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.

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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

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 21 May 2026

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Another successful graduate of the “Thai Language & Culture” course.

Final exam apparently involved drunk motorcycle zig-zags and demanding cash from strangers 😂

Off topic racist troll post removed @Rams86

once he arrives in Austria he should be deported back to where ever he originally came from with his citizenship cancelled

5 minutes ago, smedly said:

once he arrives in Austria he should be deported back to where ever he originally came from with his citizenship cancelled

He is an Austrian citizen.

Quite likely he was high on kratom, yaba, M150 as well as ganja.

Alcohol alone simply cannot be the cause.

And the language studio that arranged the fake education visa for him…..

They all change to DTV after 2 years

1 hour ago, still kicking said:

He is an Austrian citizen.

the citizenship can be revoked

25 minutes ago, NicoBKK said:

the citizenship can be revoked

Not for something like this.

Well I’m glad to see that they are starting to deport and ban people, but it sure seems like they give way too many chances. If they would deport and black list foreigners for doing anything illegal and proved in court I think more people will realize they can’t get away with a little slap on the wrist a wai anymore. They need to toughen up. It’s just been a scare tactic for many years a we know it doesn’t happen near enough to encourage people to follow the laws. Thais also need bigger fines and jail sentences when they do illegal activities. Although it’s tough without a working police force.

3 hours ago, still kicking said:

He is an Austrian citizen.

Then he should behave like one.

Don't let the door hit you on the way back to Europe baby.

Off topic troll post removed @Ray60 this is the Thai news section, discuss the topic, not your racist agenda.

Rule 10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

3 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

And the language studio that arranged the fake education visa for him…..

he looks like he had a fake passport too

There really should be a lot more of these visa revoked and deportations happening. So much human trash and horrible behaviour in Thailand now. There are way too many tourists anyway, so why keepthe badly behaved ones around with a slap on the wrist and a 1000B fine. One strike and you're out please. Make it safer for other tourists and locals.

The very picture of the "soft power" DTV.

Off topic troll post removed @Sigmund

2 hours ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Then he should behave like one.

Hopefully not like a very famous one 😏

20 minutes ago, John Drake said:

The very picture of the "soft power" DTV.

Yes 39 baht plastic flip flops, 69baht shorts and 20 baht 2nd hand t shirt

44 minutes ago, Khun Loong said:

There really should be a lot more of these visa revoked and deportations happening. So much human trash and horrible behaviour in Thailand now. There are way too many tourists anyway, so why keepthe badly behaved ones around with a slap on the wrist and a 1000B fine. One strike and you're out please. Make it safer for other tourists and locals.

This has been evident for years now. All these bike gangs that terrorize the beach resorts , nasty drunks , drugged and thieves, fine and deport . All these visa changes when all it needs is good policing and getting these thugs and no goods out of thailand for good. News will get round and eventually they will move elsewhere.

8 hours ago, still kicking said:

He is an Austrian citizen.

Citizenship may be revoked if he has significant prior legal issues in Austria.

13 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

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

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Looks like he’s had a good few hours in the sun. Nice tan 😉

That is some Austrian hairy arms...Some strange Austrian genetics.

The "Austrian" national was asking for it. What were you expecting with that sort of entitlement and craziness? You make your bed etc. and karma is a real thing. Facepalm.

Edited May 21May 21 by Sir Dude

14 hours ago, still kicking said:

He is an Austrian citizen.

so what, depending on local legislation it could be possible that they revoke confiscate his papers. you don't know that

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

before obtaining an education visa to study Thai language and culture.

Sounds like he's got a lot of homework to catch up on ...

2 minutes ago, vangrop said:

so what, depending on local legislation it could be possible that they revoke confiscate his papers. you don't know that

And send him where?

Pretty sure this is the same nut that would walk into restaurants and spit water on people.

Total troublemaker constantly out for a fight. Good riddance.

On 5/21/2026 at 5:15 PM, still kicking said:

And send him where?

What a silly question, back to where he came from b7efore they gave him an Austrian passport