Thai officials recommend revoking visa of Israeli woman after staff disputes

Koh Phangan officials recommended revoking the visa of a 33-year-old Israeli woman on Thursday after police received complaints about her conduct toward hotel employees and tourists. The recommendation follows a series of enforcement actions on Thai island destinations aimed at managing behavior by foreign visitors.

Einav Ashuel is the subject of the review. Local police logged two formal complaints against her. Officials allege she used services at a hotel and Than Sadet National Park without payment. They also state she shouted, cursed, insulted staff, and threatened physical harm during these incidents.

The Special Committee for Reviewing the Behavior of Foreign Nationals on Koh Phangan issued the recommendation following a meeting chaired by District Chief Paisit Thongcharoen. Local police commanders, immigration representatives, and tourist police attended the session. The committee referred the case to immigration police for further action.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the visa has been formally revoked or if Ashuel has been deported. Neither Ashuel nor Israel's Foreign Ministry has responded to inquiries regarding the case.

This case follows several recent actions involving Israeli citizens in Thailand. In late March, the same committee recommended revoking the visas of three Israelis who displayed Chabad flags and distributed leaflets for Passover activities on nearby Koh Tao. A report on a Chabad website stated the three were later deported. In September, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a deportation order for Israeli citizen Yaakov Ohayon, who had been convicted of making threats during a zoo dispute on Koh Samui. He received a suspended 15-day prison sentence and a 5,000 baht fine.

The stricter approach extends beyond Israeli visitors. In early April, the Koh Phangan district chief announced that the visas of 13 foreign tourists had been revoked for inappropriate behavior. He stated that inspections would continue to protect residents and visitors. In May, the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok warned travelers to follow local rules after Phuket authorities signaled they would impose stricter penalties, including visa revocation in serious cases.