Thailand Zoo Assault: Israeli Family Attacked and Ejected

An Israeli family visiting a popular animal park on Koh Samui, Thailand, was physically assaulted and barred entry after staff learned their nationality, with the park's owner subsequently posting hostile messages on social media mocking Israeli tourists.

Moran and Naveh from Rosh HaYin arrived at Samui Exotic Park with their daughters, ages 6 and 9. Staff initially welcomed them and asked their nationality. Upon learning they were Israeli, the tone shifted abruptly and they were told the park does not admit Israeli tourists.

Video and accounts from the family show the confrontation escalating when a male employee—described as non-Thai, possibly the park's French co-owner—headbutted the father in the neck and shoulder in front of his daughters. The employee shouted obscenities when asked his name and threw a sign at the family as they were forced to leave. The children were left visibly terrified by the assault.

The following day, the park owner posted a video on social media featuring an Israeli flag covered with a red "No Entry" symbol, positioned beside a shooting target. He wrote something along the lines of "We're packed every day," along with a Jordanian flag emoji 🇯🇴—apparently mistaking it for the Palestinian flag—in what observers interpreted as a deliberate taunt toward Israeli and Jewish visitors.

The park had previously faced criticism for displaying a "Free Palestine" sign. The owners claimed they received threats, including from an Israeli tourist, and complained about the behavior of some foreign visitors. Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry had looked into the facility over related issues.

The family emphasized that Thai people throughout their visit treated them warmly and noted that the aggressive employee was not Thai. The incident has circulated widely on social media, drawing international condemnation for nationality-based discrimination and violence against a family with young children.