Violent Protests Force Thailand Chabad to Cancel 1,000-Person Meal

Violent protests and increasingly antisemitic rhetoric in Phuket forced Chabad to cancel a major Rosh Hashanah meal planned for more than 1,000 people on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, after Israeli security officials warned that the protesters could become violent and that the situation was dangerous.

The meal had originally been planned for about 1,000 participants at Chabad House Patong and a nearby hotel. Following discussions with Phuket authorities, the event was reduced to a single location at Chabad House, the expected attendance was lowered to 800, and the event was scheduled to end at 9 p.m. rather than midnight.

On Friday, erev Rosh Hashanah, the Phuket Land Protection Group (PLPG) and other protesters gathered outside Chabad. About 500 protesters were reported at the demonstration, while more than 100 were reported to have marched from Loma Park to the Chabad House.

Protesters held anti-Israel and anti-Jewish signs, chanted “Free Palestine,” and displayed messages including “Save Phuket, No Israel.”

“I am deeply concerned by rising antisemitic rhetoric in Thailand,” U.S. Ambassador Envoy for Antisemitism Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun said. “The State Department remains in close contact with Thai authorities to ensure that the Jewish community is protected during the holiday season.”

Ahead of the protest, PLPG had warned that it would escalate its actions if the Rosh Hashanah event went ahead. Among the messages displayed or promoted during the protests were calls for Jews to leave Thailand and slogans including “Thailand is not for sale.”

Protesters and organizers also promoted allegations that Chabad was acquiring Thai land as part of a broader Zionist strategy, claims of a long-term plan to take over areas of Thailand, and allegations involving Israeli intelligence. Some of the rhetoric was explicitly antisemitic.

After discussions and a direct request from Israeli security officials, the local shluchim were forced to cancel the event.

“Due to a request from Israeli security officials, we deeply regret that we are canceling the event,” a message sent to guests stated. “Please do not approach the area. The protesters could become violent, and it is dangerous.”

The message urged guests to stay away from the area and asked them to notify other travelers who had planned to attend.

While the major meal was cancelled, reports said that the Chabad House celebration itself reportedly continued in a smaller or more private format, and other Rosh Hashanah tefillos and festive meals were expected to continue as planned.

Patcharee Channatho, a local community member, said she personally felt unsafe amid the situation. “I feel afraid and unsafe; it feels like things are spiralling out of control,” she said. “There is a constant stream of negative news that is being misinterpreted, leading to protest rallies and a sense of insecurity on the Jewish side as well.”

She also expressed concern about the impact on Phuket, saying, “From a business perspective, it’s a shame, as these visitors bring revenue into Phuket.”

The Phuket protest came after hundreds of people had demonstrated outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on September 10. The demonstration was led by activist Sondhi Limthongkul, who addressed a letter to Israeli Ambassador Dr. Alona Fisher-Kamm alleging that Chabad centers were buying Thai land to advance the objectives of international Zionist networks.

The Bangkok protesters also displayed antisemitic messages, including calls for Jews to “get out,” alongside slogans such as “Thailand Is Not For Sale” and “Save Thailand.”

The protests have been fueled by complaints about the behavior of some Israeli tourists, but the rhetoric has increasingly expanded beyond individual conduct to sweeping claims about Israelis, Jews and Chabad institutions.

Thai authorities had initially allowed the Phuket Rosh Hashanah celebration to proceed, while separating the protest area from the Chabad House and deploying additional security forces.

The events have raised broader concerns about the safety of Jewish communities and Israeli visitors in Thailand, with Thai authorities, Israeli officials and Jewish community representatives working to prevent further escalation.