French Koh Samui Zoo Owner Detained Pending Deportation
SURAT THANI, Thailand – A French national who owns Samui Exotic Park on Samui Island appeared before immigration police yesterday and was notified of a deportation order citing previous behaviour deemed a serious threat to the public. K. Dimino arrived with his wife, Jin, at the Surat Thani Immigration Office on the island, where Pol Col Naruwat Phutthawiro, superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration, read the deportation order to him, citing six incidents that authorities described as posing a serious threat to society.
Koh Samui French Zoo Owner Sought After Deportation Order Issued
The order alleges that Dimino had harassed and verbally abused the owner and teachers of a language school in the area, and that he assaulted a foreign national, injuring the person’s leg and threatening the person with a knife. He is also alleged to have behaved abusively, shouting and using vulgar language in front of private premises, and to have assaulted a foreign tourist and thrown a sign at the person while using offensive language towards the tourist’s family.
Kevin Dimino, owner of a zoo on Koh Samui, reported to immigration authorities on 8 September after Thailand issued an order for his deportation.
Dimino was formally notified of the order and taken to Koh Samui Police Station pending deportation procedures. His wife said he had… pic.twitter.com/CRuRgXPHLq
— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) September 8, 2026
Another allegation involved posts inviting people who oppose or dislike nationals of certain countries to gather at his zoo for a symbolic political or religious demonstration, with his posts appearing intended to create divisions along racial, religious and political lines. A further incident cited in the order was his removal from a domestic passenger aircraft by airline staff after police were called following his alleged threats against fellow passengers.
Israeli man deported from Koh Samui under Thailand’s new deportation rules
After being notified of the order, Dimino was taken into custody pending the process of repatriation to France. The order, signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in his capacity as interior minister on 7 September, makes Dimino the second foreign national to be ordered deported from Thailand in connection with the dispute. The ministry previously ordered an Israeli national to leave the country on 4 September, with the two men being parties to a dispute on Samui Island. Thai News Agency reported that Dimino was being detained separately from the Israeli, who was also being held pending deportation.
-Thailand News (TN)
