UPDATE: Patong Chabad clarifies Rosh Hashanah dinner cancellation after protest
A later report says the wider Rosh Hashanah celebration continued after the 11 September protest, clarifying that the entire event was not cancelled.
The Chabad centre in Patong temporarily cancelled a Rosh Hashanah dinner scheduled for the evening of 11 September 2026 after an estimated 300 to 500 people gathered outside, citing concerns that the situation could escalate.
The protest took place at the centre in Patong, Kathu district, Phuket. Khaosod English reported that those attending included Thai Buddhists, Thai Muslims and foreign residents who opposed the organisation of the Jewish New Year festival, Rosh Hashanah. Protesters held signs and shouted messages opposing the event.
A later report by The Phuket News on 14 September 2026 clarified that reports of the entire Rosh Hashanah celebration being cancelled were incorrect. Patcharee Channatho said the original plan involved celebrations at two locations — a hotel and Chabad House Patong. The hotel component was cancelled after discussions with Phuket provincial officials, while the celebration at Chabad House Patong continued despite the protest outside.
Ms Channatho said she did not personally attend the Chabad House event and still needed to confirm its exact start and finish times, as it may have become a smaller, private affair. She said the event proceeded smoothly, with guests waiting as usual and the centre reporting no problems. The later account does not specify that the reported 11 September dinner cancellation was reversed.
The Phuket News reported that the Phuket Land Protection Group led a protest outside Chabad Patong on Friday, 11 September, with more than 100 people marching from Loma Park to the venue. This was a separate march count from Khaosod English's estimate of 300 to 500 people gathered outside. The Phuket News said protesters held signs with clear anti-Jewish and anti-Israel messages, but there were no reports of violence or serious confrontation. Protesters sang the Thai national anthem before dispersing at about 5:45pm, while police managed traffic and maintained a visible security presence.
Ms Channatho said she did not support protests or demands for people to leave Phuket, and said concerns about public order should be addressed through discussion rather than confrontation. She also said she felt unsafe amid what she described as negative news being misinterpreted and contributing to protests and insecurity among Jewish people. She rejected reports that the celebration caused excessive noise, saying participants sang softly for a short time before finishing and dispersing.
A separate Jewish New Year celebration in Rawai also proceeded normally, The Phuket News reported, with more than 100 guests and no major incidents.
