Phuket Protest Demands Closure of Chabad Houses Amidst Illegal Business Claims

Hundreds of local residents gathered in Phuket, Thailand, for a large rally titled "Return Our Thailand," protesting what they describe as foreign capital and shell companies enabling non-Thai citizens to illegally acquire property and run businesses. Organizers claim this phenomenon harms local livelihoods and the island's tourist character.

One protest leader, Saichol Noochnet, called for the expulsion of what he termed the "Israeli network" from Thailand. While organizers accuse Chabad and other Israeli entities of illegal business activities and asset seizure, these broad allegations have not been substantiated by local authorities' investigations.

This demonstration follows a similar protest in September outside a Chabad house in Patong, which saw hundreds gather with anti-Israel and anti-Jewish chants, leading to the cancellation of a planned Rosh Hashanah meal for hundreds of Israelis due to fears of violence.

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwanwichai announced that authorities are investigating 19 companies linked to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, as well as real estate assets and his family's citizenship status.

Authorities have warned that if legal violations are found, assets could be frozen and land sold forcibly. Currently, no assets have been seized, and no criminal charges have been filed against the Rabbi in connection with the company investigations. Chabad stated it is pursuing legal avenues regarding the citizenship revocation and that its houses in Thailand continue to operate normally.