Koh Samui, Surat Thani Province
Thai immigration authorities have arrested a 28-year-old Israeli national identified as an alleged senior figure in the so-called “Avengers” criminal organization, who had fled to Thailand to evade serious charges in his home country, including murder, bombings, and drug trafficking.
On April 29th, 2026, officers from the Immigration Bureau’s Surat Thani office, acting on intelligence and coordination with Interpol and the Israeli Embassy in Thailand, detained Matan Arviv (also referred to in reports as Matan Arbiv or similar transliterations) at a luxury villa on Koh Samui. He was with four associates. Authorities revoked his permission to stay in Thailand, placed him on the blacklist barring future entry, and are preparing to deport him to Israel to face prosecution.
According to the Israeli Embassy, Arviv is considered a highly dangerous individual and a key operational leader in the “Avengers” gang, an Israeli-based criminal syndicate. He has an extensive criminal record, having previously served multiple prison terms for offenses including theft, fraud, illegal possession of weapons, and drug trafficking. He also faces ongoing charges related to murder, the production or delivery of explosive devices, bombings, threats, possession or use of prohibited equipment, and drug offenses involving minors.
Thai officials described the operation as part of a broader crackdown on transnational crime under the direction of the Royal Thai Police. Pol. Maj. Gen. Chutharet Yingyongdamrongkul, commander of Immigration Bureau Region 6, stressed efforts to remove foreigners posing threats to society and prevent Thailand from being used as a safe haven by international fugitives.
The arrest displays ongoing Thai-Israeli law enforcement cooperation via Interpol red notices. Authorities urged the public to report suspicious activities by foreigners to the Immigration Bureau hotline 1178.
This incident aligns with Thailand’s intensified measures against foreign criminal networks operating or hiding in popular tourist destinations like Koh Samui.
