Frenchman being deported for causing religious division

A Frenchman staying on Koh Samui has been ordered to leave Thailand amid accusations  his actions stirred religious division and conflict among foreign tourists.

The deportation order was dated Sept 7 and signed by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also prime minister. It requires Kevin Dimino to leave the kingdom within seven days of being notified of the order.

Mr Dimino is the second foreigner ordered to leave Thailand under changes brought in last month. The first  was Israeli Yaacov Ohayon, a real estate developer and sandwich business operator on Koh Samui.

The Frenchman is accused of threatening and abusing other people, causing a public disturbance and conduct causing division among people of different religions and nationalities. 

Mr Dimino has already been fined 5,000 baht by the Koh Samui Provincial Court for violating the Land Traffic Act.

The deportation order, posted by the Provincial Administration Department, did not elaborate on the court case.

It said Mr Dimino had seven days after receiving the notification to appeal the decision to the prime minister. Mr Anutin serves as prime minister and interior minister, so it is unlikely to change.

It was unclear whether Mr Dimino is the same person involved a recent conflict with a “Mr Ohayon” on the resort island.