Criminal8/14/2026

Attacker of Two Israeli Women in Thailand Released on Bail

Paul William Barco Gober, a French citizen, was released from custody in Thailand after bail of approximately 12,000 shekels was posted. According to a report by the ynet news website, he is suspected of brutally assaulting a 62-year-old Israeli woman and her 23-year-old daughter on the island of Koh Phangan.

Key facts

•Suspect: Paul William Barco Gober, a French citizen
•Victims: Israeli women aged 62 and 23
•Location: Koh Phangan, Thailand
•Bail: approximately 12,000 shekels
•The case number and exact date of the decision were not specified
•The statutory provisions applied were not specified

What Happened

The mother came to Thailand to visit her daughter, who was traveling there. According to the victim, near a waterfall on Koh Phangan, Gober asked the two where they were from, and after they replied that they were from Israel, he began talking about Israel’s actions in Gaza. He then attacked both of them and fled when the daughter called out to people who were nearby.

Serious Injuries

The two Israeli women were seriously injured and hospitalized. The daughter underwent two operations on her nose and was discharged. The mother underwent two operations on her ears, including ear reconstruction, as well as a procedure to drain fluid through the spinal column; at the time of publication, she was still hospitalized.

Release on Bail

After his arrest, Gober was released after bail of approximately 12,000 shekels was posted on his behalf. The victim said she did not know who paid the sum and that, according to the information in her possession, the man may be on Koh Phangan or Koh Samui. The source does not specify which court or other body made the decision, the conditions of release, or which statutory provisions were applied.

The Victim’s Warning

The mother said that after learning of the release, she and her daughter feared for their safety. She urged Israelis staying in Thailand to exercise caution. The source describes the assault as antisemitic but does not report that charges were filed, a case number, a court hearing date, or a final ruling on the merits.

What this means for you

Release on bail means that the suspect is no longer being held in custody, but this in itself does not end the investigation or constitute an acquittal. Because the case is being handled in Thailand, local procedures apply, and the source does not report any restrictions imposed on the released suspect. For Israelis abroad, the case underscores that arrest and release procedures are determined by the laws of the country in which they are staying.

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