BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai wife of French national Kevin Dimino submitted a formal appeal on 11 September against his deportation order, after he was detained on an allegation that he posed a threat to national security. Jindarat, who owns Samui Exotic Park on Koh Samui, was accompanied by Akkarawut Kraisrisombat, also known as Tae Acheeva, leader of the Thai Mai Thon group, with the appeal concerning action taken by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

French Koh Samui Zoo Owner Detained Pending Deportation

Akkarawut said he supports the existence of deportation laws but wants procedures to be clear, fair and realistic. He noted that Dimino was allegedly facing deportation over a confrontation with some Israelis and a traffic violation, despite being held on the national-security allegation. The deportation order specifies that an appeal must be lodged within seven days, and Akkarawut questioned how Dimino, while in custody, could gather witnesses and evidence needed to challenge the decision, arguing that he should be released from detention to collect evidence, demonstrate his innocence and complete the appeal process.

Jindarat spoke tearfully after meeting Interior Ministry officials, saying she was in deep distress and had submitted evidence intended to clarify the circumstances. She stated that the evidence demonstrated Kevin’s actions were entirely aimed at protecting his wife from threats and harassment by a group of Israeli individuals, asking why he must face such treatment when he was simply defending her. She alleged that she had received threatening messages during the previous two to three days, including threats to come to Koh Samui and rape and kill Dimino.

Koh Samui French Zoo Owner Sought After Deportation Order Issued

Jindarat asked whether the government or other relevant agencies could guarantee her safety and ensure the threats would end if her husband were deported. If authorities could provide that assurance, she said she might accept the outcome so she could return to running her business and caring for the zoo, noting she currently had too little time even to look after the animals because she was occupied with her husband’s paperwork. If her safety could not be guaranteed, Jindarat said she was prepared to move to another country, and she wanted the government to clarify its intended course of action rather than keep Dimino detained without concrete answers. She said her discussions with Interior Ministry officials had produced no clear explanation, with the matter being passed between officials who stated only that the directive had come from the Prime Minister.

-Thailand News (TN)