Thai police arrest Israeli man in Bangkok drugging and recording scheme

A 54-year-old Israeli man stood accused of luring women into his Bangkok apartment, drugging them with cakes, and secretly recording their sexual encounters. Last Friday, police arrested Tomer Kahiri, known locally as “Tom” or “Tom Yum Kung,” for allegedly operating this scheme through dating apps. A 44-year-old Thai woman was taken into custody alongside him.

The investigation began after a tip reached the hotline of Thailand’s narcotics suppression authorities. The informant described an Israeli man with an eagle tattoo on his left arm who contacted women online. Those women reported experiencing hot flashes and increased sexual arousal after eating cakes he prepared. Police suspected the cakes contained drugs, though laboratory results had not yet been made public.

Major General Teeradet Thamsuthee, deputy chief of Bangkok police responsible for narcotics suppression, led the operation. With assistance from immigration police, investigators found that Kahiri had remained in Thailand without a valid visa for 2,095 days. Surveillance teams observed numerous women entering and leaving his residence in the Huai Khwang district. Police noted that the suspect lacked regular employment but maintained enough funds to support himself.

Officers conducted a joint raid with the capital’s narcotics suppression unit and immigration police. During the search, they seized 15 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 50 packaging bags, an electronic scale, and a tray of cakes suspected of containing drugs. A mobile phone found in the apartment held messages regarding drug purchases for resale and numerous videos of sexual encounters on a sofa. Police alleged the women were filmed without their knowledge.

Kahiri denied ownership of the seized drugs during the raid. He claimed connections to an influential person who could secure his release within two hours. He demanded the names of the officers involved and threatened to have them transferred or fired. Police also alleged he threatened to kill one of the officers involved in the operation.

The Israeli man faced accusations for possessing a dangerous drug, overstaying his visa, refusing a drug test, and disobeying law enforcement officials. The Thai woman arrested with him was suspected of possessing and using methamphetamine. Both suspects and the evidence were moved to the Huai Khwang police station for further legal proceedings. Police did not formally charge Kahiri with drugging women or recording intimate encounters at that stage.

Thai media reports indicated that Kahiri denied all allegations. He described himself as a former Israeli soldier and businessman in textile exports. He stated he had two children and moved to Thailand after separating from his partner because he loved the country and found its residents friendly.