Surat Thani Immigration officers raided and arrested an Israeli high-ranking member of the "Avenger" gang along with three accomplices. The gang is notorious for violent crimes including bombings and drug trafficking, and the suspect was wanted by Israeli authorities after fleeing and hiding on Koh Samui.
On 30 Apr 2026 GMT+7, under the direction of Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonlalak, Commander of the Immigration Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Panthana Nuchnarat, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Nattakorn Praphayont, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, Commander of Immigration Division 6, Pol. Col. Kantawat Pongsathabodi, Deputy Commander of Immigration Division 6, Pol. Col. Phanupakorn Jitprayurte, Deputy Commander of Immigration Division 6, and Pol. Col. Naruwat Puttaviro, Commander of Surat Thani Immigration Office, ordered the arrest team to act on the provincial governor's directive to address foreign nationals in Surat Thani. They conducted crackdowns on foreign nationals in the area and revoked their permission to stay in the kingdom. They were instructed to track and control an Israeli national who was a senior member of an Israeli criminal organization, with multiple prior convictions and extensive criminal history, who had fled and was hiding in Thailand.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, Commander of Immigration Division 6, revealed that Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonlalak, Immigration Bureau Commander, ordered all units under his command to investigate foreign nationals who entered the kingdom illegally and exhibited behavior causing unrest or planning to commit crimes in Thailand. Any such behavior or offenses must be dealt with immediately according to the law.
This follows investigations tracking a wanted person from Israel, coordinated with the Police and Internal Security Attaché Office at the Israeli Embassy in Thailand. They aimed to arrest and deport Mr. Matan Aviv, 28, an Israeli national, to face charges in Israel. He is subject to Interpol and Israeli arrest warrants. Investigations found he is a senior member of the "Avenger" criminal organization, established in Israel, with multiple past prison sentences and extensive criminal records. His offenses include receiving stolen goods, conspiracy to commit crimes ranging from serious felonies to misdemeanors, illegal possession of weapons, fraud, vehicle break-ins or theft, illegal possession or procurement of weapons, attempted arson, production, import, export, trafficking or other dealings with weapons, import/export/trade or procurement of drugs, and negligence related to fire or explosives.
Additionally, this individual faces several ongoing cases, including murder, illegal bombings, delivery or transport of explosives, causing damage using explosives, conspiracy to commit both serious and minor crimes, arson, threats, drug trafficking and related offenses involving the corruption of minors, and possession or use of prohibited equipment. A green Interpol notice issued on 17 Apr 2026 identified him as a dangerous person who may commit violence and possess weapons.
Currently, Mr. Matan Aviv is wanted under an arrest warrant from the Hadera District Court in Israel for charges including conspiracy to commit crimes, obstructing investigations, and acts endangering personal safety. He has fled and been hiding in various countries.
Eventually, investigators from Surat Thani Immigration tracked the movements of Mr. Matan Aviv and three members of the "Avenger" gang after they had been hiding in a luxury villa in Koh Samui district. Surat Thani Immigration officers proposed revoking their permission to stay in the kingdom to the Commander of Immigration Division 6 and planned their arrest.
On 29 Apr 2026 at 16:00 GMT+7, Surat Thani Immigration officers served the revocation order and located Mr. Matan Aviv at the villa. They proceeded to detain him pending deportation to Israel and recorded him as a prohibited person or blacklist entry, banning his reentry into Thailand. The authorities also documented the records of his three accomplices and sent the information to Israeli authorities for background checks. If deemed dangerous individuals, further action will be taken.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chutharet added that this operation aligns with the policies of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpech, and Immigration Bureau Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonlalak. They have emphasized swift suppression of transnational crime and foreign nationals violating laws in the kingdom. The public is urged that foreigners residing in Thailand must comply with laws; violations will be prosecuted strictly in every case.