Patong Municipality halts unauthorised alterations at Chabad House

Patong Municipality has ordered construction and use to stop in parts of Chabad House Patong after officials found unauthorised alterations to its rooftop and parking area.

The six-storey Jewish community centre had converted its former rooftop into a restaurant, club and banquet area, according to inspection findings. The addition covers about 14 by 12 metres and includes steel structures and white canvas roofing. Part of the parking area was also enclosed and converted into a 15-by-12-metre restaurant.

Patong Municipality issued the order on 1 September 2026 under Section 40(1) of the Building Control Act. Officials said structural integrity and load-bearing capacity must be assessed before approval can be considered.

The municipality has notified the company managing Chabad House Patong. If it does not respond or apply for the required permits within 30 days, officials will proceed with legal enforcement. If an application is submitted, engineers will assess whether the alterations meet safety and regulatory requirements.

The governor of Phuket has also ordered a comprehensive investigation into Chabad Patong, with officials given seven days to report their findings. The action followed remarks by Deputy Interior Minister Polpree Suwanchawee concerning a foreign cemetery project, according to the report.

Chabad House Patong provides religious services, kosher dining and cultural facilities. Its reported layout includes a lobby and women’s ritual bath on the ground floor, a kosher restaurant and offices on the first floor, a synagogue on the second floor, and operations and staff offices on the fourth floor.