Thailand Revokes Citizenship of Country’s Head Shliach

Thailand’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed an order on Wednesday revoking the Thai citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, Chief Rabbi of Thailand and the country’s head shliach, who has been serving on the Rebbe’s shlichus in the country since 5753 (1993).

According to a report by Thai news outlet The Standard, the decision followed an investigation by Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which determined that Rabbi Kantor had continued using his American passport for international travel after becoming a naturalized Thai citizen.

Rabbi Kantor, originally an American citizen, was granted Thai citizenship in April 2013 and received a Thai national identity card the following month. According to investigators, he subsequently used his American citizenship for 16 trips to and from Australia, the most recent on January 26, 2026.

Thai authorities maintain that his continued use of American citizenship violated the conditions of his naturalization, which they say were explained to him when he applied for citizenship.

The move follows a period of investigations by Thai authorities, during which raids were conducted at several locations in Bangkok as part of an inquiry into business activities, properties, and financial transactions. Business documents were seized during the searches, but according to reports, no evidence of criminal wrongdoing has been uncovered thus far.

Rabbi Kantor arrived in Bangkok in 1993 and has spent more than three decades developing Jewish communal life in Thailand. Under his leadership, Chabad has established an extensive network of Chabad Houses and Jewish services catering to the country’s Jewish residents and the large numbers of Israeli and other Jewish tourists who visit Thailand each year.

In a statement, Chabad of Thailand expressed regret over the decision while emphasizing its respect for the country’s laws and institutions.

“Rabbi Kantor has served the Jewish community in Thailand for more than 30 years, and Thailand is home to him and his family,” the statement said. “We respect the Kingdom of Thailand, its laws, and its institutions, and are grateful for the hospitality it has extended over the years.”

“We regret this decision, and the matter is being addressed through the appropriate legal channels, with full confidence in the Thai legal system.”

It remains unclear whether the citizenship revocation will affect Rabbi Kantor’s ability to continue residing and working in Thailand.

Chabad of Thailand emphasized that its activities throughout the country remain unaffected.

“Chabad Houses in Thailand are operating as usual and will continue to warmly welcome every Jew and every Israeli who comes here.”