Samui probes alleged threat against French zoo owner

Koh Samui district officials and police are investigating reports that a French owner of Samui Exotic Park was threatened online by an Israeli national following a dispute linked to flags displayed at the zoo entrance.

District chief Amorn Chumchuay said on 20 August that authorities would establish the facts before deciding whether anyone had acted unlawfully. He said the safety of all nationals on the island would be protected equally.

Officials seek details of the dispute

Amorn, Koh Samui Police Station superintendent Pol Col Panya Niratimanont, immigration officers and other agencies have been following the case after online reports of an Israeli allegedly making death threats.

People connected to Samui Exotic Park were asked to attend Koh Samui Immigration Office to provide information about complaints concerning safety, intimidation and threats. The dispute had developed through online exchanges with an Israeli national.

On 17 August, Amorn and relevant agencies asked the Thai wife of the French park owner to provide details. The park, Samui Exotic Park, is in Moo 1, Mae Nam, Koh Samui district, Surat Thani province.

According to officials, when asked about the conflict, the French owner questioned why Israelis could "do anything" in Thailand. Authorities replied that Israeli nationals in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan who break the law have faced action in the past.

However, officials said the French owner did not provide clear information about the other party involved.

Flags at zoo entrance linked to anger

Authorities said their initial examination found that tension had arisen after the French owner displayed a Palestinian flag carrying the words "Free Palestine" at the zoo entrance.

An Israeli flag was also displayed with a symbol stating that Israelis were not welcome, alongside a paper shooting target. Officials said this had caused offence among Israeli people.

Koh Samui Immigration's inquiry found that the Israeli alleged to have issued the death threat was in France, not on Samui. The Israeli national was said to have become angry over the flags and exchanged criticism and challenges online with the French zoo owner.

Officials said the online exchanges included an alleged threat and a 500,000-baht bounty placed on the French owner. The matter caused concern for his Thai wife. The exact issue underlying the dispute between the two men in France remained unclear, as the owner did not give officials a clear answer.

Equal protection promised for visitors

Amorn instructed officers to deal with the case on the basis of evidence and the law, without prematurely deciding who was right or wrong until checks are complete.

For foreign residents, business owners and visitors on Samui, the case is a reminder that authorities say protection and legal enforcement apply equally regardless of nationality. Anyone facing threats or harassment should preserve online evidence and report it to local police or immigration officers.

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21 August 2026

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