Thai Nationalists Plan Anti-Israel Protest Amid Chabad Investigations

Thai nationalist groups are scheduled to hold an anti-Israeli demonstration in Phuket on Saturday, coinciding with ongoing investigations into entities linked to the Chabad movement. The rally, organized by the Phuket Land Protection Group (PLPG), Reclaim Thailand, and about twenty partner organizations, is set to take place from 4 PM to 10 PM local time at Saphan Hin in Phuket city. Under the slogan "Reclaim Our Country," organizers claim to be targeting illegal economic networks associated with Israeli nationals and Chabad institutions, though provincial investigations have not substantiated these accusations.

Several prominent Thai nationalists, including former "Yellow Shirts" leader Sondhi Limthongkul, are expected to attend. Ahead of the protest, PLPG leader Saichol Nuchet called for the elimination of what he termed an "Israeli network" in Thailand, specifically targeting establishments connected to Chabad. Activist Akkarawut Kraisisombat, also known as Tae Acheewa, stated on social media that he "is not afraid of Israel."

This mobilization follows a September 11 protest outside the Chabad center in Patong, which drew over a hundred participants displaying anti-Israel and anti-Jewish messages. The controversy escalated this week with the revocation of Thai citizenship for Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, a key figure in the local Jewish community since 1993. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the decision, citing the rabbi's continued use of his American passport after becoming a Thai citizen in 2013, including 16 trips using his U.S. passport.

Investigations into Chabad-linked economic activities are also intensifying. Authorities are reportedly examining 19 companies associated with Rabbi Kantor, along with his real estate holdings and the administrative status of some family members. These developments have raised concerns within the Jewish community, as criticism of certain commercial activities increasingly blends with hostility towards Israelis and Jewish religious institutions. As of March 10, 2026, Thai authorities reported 31,892 Israeli nationals residing in the country.