Phuket group plans symbolic protest against Jewish New Year event in Patong

The Phuket Land Protection group and 10 partner networks plan to hold a peaceful symbolic protest against a Jewish New Year event and a ritual to cleanse sins at Chabad House in Patong on 11 September 2026, with about 200 people expected to attend.

The group said it opposed the activities because the issue was sensitive and raised concerns about the alleged past conduct of some tourists, including disregard for the law, inappropriate behaviour, prolonged stays and competition for local jobs. It also said the decision to proceed with the event despite local concerns could lead to larger events in the future.

The gathering is scheduled to begin at Dolphin Roundabout on Patong Beach. Participants plan to walk while carrying campaign signs along Phra Barami Road and into Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, covering about 500 metres. They are expected to stop opposite Chabad House, where speeches from a vehicle equipped with loudspeakers are planned for about one hour, before moving to Laem Phet sports stadium, Patong Municipality.

Patong police met representatives of the group for more than two hours on the morning of 11 September and asked them to change the route and cancel the speeches opposite Chabad House, according to the group’s coordinator. The group said it would proceed with the planned activities.

Workers and trucks were entering and leaving Chabad House from the morning to prepare for the evening event. Patong police also placed traffic cones in front of the site to organise the area.