Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed an order deporting Israeli national Yaacov Ohayon from Thailand after his conviction by Koh Samui Provincial Court for making threats.

The order, signed on 5 September 2026, states that Ohayon, sent threatening messages to a victim suggesting there would be danger to their life and physical safety. The messages caused the victim fear and alarm, according to the order.

Koh Samui court sentence

Koh Samui Provincial Court found Ohayon guilty under Section 392 of Thailand's Criminal Code, concerning threats that cause another person fear or alarm.

He was initially sentenced to one month in prison and fined 10,000 baht. The court reduced the punishment by half under Section 78 of the Criminal Code after he pleaded guilty, leaving a 15-day jail term and a 5,000-baht fine.

The 15-day prison sentence was suspended for two years.

The Interior Ministry order says his conduct was contrary to public order, good morals or the public's welfare. It therefore found that he met the grounds for deportation under Section 5 of the Deportation Act BE 2499 (1956).

Appeal permitted within seven days

Anutin issued the order using powers under Section 5 of the Deportation Act, together with Clause 4 of the Prime Minister's Office regulations on deportation BE 2569 (2026).

Ohayon may appeal to the prime minister within seven days of being informed of the order. He can request that the deportation order be revoked, or ask for an order allowing him to leave the kingdom, under Section 8 of the Deportation Act.

For foreign residents and visitors, the case is a reminder that a criminal conviction can have immigration consequences beyond a court fine or suspended sentence. A deportation order is an administrative action separate from the criminal penalty, and foreigners facing one should note the short seven-day appeal deadline stated in the order.

Thailand's Deportation Act allows authorities to remove non-Thai nationals where their conduct is deemed a threat to public order, morality or public welfare. The order in this case specifically cites threatening communications and the subsequent Koh Samui court ruling as the basis for that conclusion.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

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6 September 2026

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They will one day be deporting people for traffic offences. Just watch.

I thought they might actually make a real solid example by choosing a criminal who had done something which matched the supposed requirements for deportation - you know - serious crime. But no - they went with something so negligible that if they continue down this road they will be deporting many 1000s a year.

I guess they really do need to streamline the process to get through the numbers.

Film someone in public without written permission - Deported
Speak too loud on the BTS - Deported

It's coming

Edited 8 hours ago8 hr by ukrules

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

They will one day be deporting people for traffic offences. Just watch.

This followed a conviction in court:

Per OP: Koh Samui Provincial Court found Ohayon guilty under Section 392 of Thailand's Criminal Code, concerning threats that cause another person fear or alarm.

So, you could get deported for not wearing underwear? Why did it take the PM to get involved?

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

They will one day be deporting people for traffic offences. Just watch.

Uttering a death threat is a serious crime.

And I came across an article that claims the Israeli guy had a bounty on the Thai guy.

You people are being absurd, thinking Thailand is itching to deport people for minor offenses.

Edited 6 hours ago6 hr by save the frogs

3 hours ago, ukrules said:

They will one day be deporting people for traffic offences. Just watch

What are you jabbering about, the guy made death threats to someone and you think that's ok?

Well done to Thailand for kicking this guy out of the Kingdom!

A good move by the Thais as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough.

The Israeli's possible connection to the people who firebombed the zoo owner's mother's house in France should have been throughly investigated in coordination with Interpol.

"The Interior Ministry order says his conduct was contrary to public order, good morals or the public's welfare."

There is a caveat to all this. What else can/will this be applied to... however small? Clearly, attracting even the smallest amount of attention could end up being really bad for you in the future.

This kind of language in the quote is Chinese CCP style, which essentially can be interpreted to conveniently cover almost anything. Well, "good morals" by who's judgement?

Things like this can be weaponized and used to settle scores or even make trouble for someone you simply take umbridge to.

3 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

"The Interior Ministry order says his conduct was contrary to public order, good morals or the public's welfare."

There is a caveat to all this. What else can/will this be applied to... however small? Clearly, attracting even the smallest amount of attention could end up being really bad for you in the future.

This kind of language in the quote is Chinese CCP style, which essentially can be interpreted to conveniently cover almost anything. Well, "good morals" by who's judgement?

Things like this can be weaponized and used to settle scores or even make trouble for someone you simply take umbridge to.

Best not to interact with Thais beyond simple commerce.

Then you will have no problems.

That's always been my policy.