Sondhi leads Bangkok protest as campaign raises Phuket Chabad concerns

Sondhi Limthongkul led supporters in a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Bangkok on Thursday, 10 September 2026, as his “Take Thailand Back” movement called for scrutiny of land holdings and Chabad centres, including issues linked to Phuket.

The Phuket-related material refers to a confrontation involving a Chabad House and says a Chabad event in Patong proceeded under tighter restrictions.

Sondhi’s four demands included tighter regulation of Israeli nationals’ conduct in Thailand, cooperation with Thai authorities, transparent investigations into land holdings and Chabad centres, and the forwarding of protesters’ opposition to the Israeli government.

An open letter read at the protest called for investigations into land ownership in Chachoengsao and the operations of Chabad centres and related organisations under Thai law. It alleged that some Israeli tourists and nationals had breached Thai law and disrespected local customs, while also making wider claims about land purchases and foreign investment. Those allegations were made by the protest group and were not independently established in the report.

The gathering took place outside Ocean Tower II on Sukhumvit 21, where the embassy is located. Thong Lor police and Metropolitan Police Division 5 officers provided security, while bomb-disposal personnel checked for hazardous objects. The protest remained orderly, with no clashes or serious incidents reported at that stage.

Sondhi said the embassy had offered him a private meeting with the ambassador, but he rejected it, saying the campaign represented the Thai public. Further rallies were planned in Chonburi, Chanthaburi and Khon Kaen.