BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, an Israeli family says it was denied entry to a Koh Samui animal park because of its nationality before a confrontation with a man representing the zoo. Videos later posted to the Instagram Story of the park’s official account supported its exclusion of Israeli visitors.
The family, accompanied by two young daughters, went to Samui Exotic Park in Mae Nam. Footage recorded by the mother and widely shared online begins with her asking staff behind a counter: “Because we’re from Israel? What have we done to you? We haven’t done anything.”
The video then cuts to a man representing the zoo telling the family to leave.
“Okay, bye. Bye-bye,” the man says. When the woman asks his name, he responds with profanity. As she repeats the question, he approaches the group and tells them: “Move off my place.”
The man then appears to headbutt the woman’s husband. She responds, “Okay, okay, we’re leaving. We’re leaving,” before he throws a small white sign in her direction as she records.
The park also shared CCTV footage of the confrontation from behind the counter. The silent, wider-angle video appears to show the family, including the two girls, leaving the entrance area after the dispute.
Later Instagram Stories from the park’s official account appeared to reinforce its stance. One video shows an Israeli flag marked with a red no-entry symbol beside a shooting target perforated with holes. The person filming whistles as the camera moves from the sign to a Free Palestine flag displayed nearby.
The later posts do not independently establish the family’s account of what occurred before the recording began. They do, however, appear to show that the park’s official social-media account supported the refusal of Israeli visitors after the incident.
Samui Exotic Park previously faced online backlash after displaying Palestinian flags and a “Free Palestine” sign at the attraction. The park said at the time that it welcomed visitors of all nationalities but expected guests to respect its rules.