Thai minister rejects Israeli territory claim during Phuket inspection
Officials inspecting a Chabad House in Patong were allegedly told the premises were Israeli territory. Thailand’s Interior Ministry has ordered a wider review of 361 Phuket businesses.
Thailand’s Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwannachet rejected an alleged claim that the Chabad House in Patong, Phuket, was “Israeli territory” during an inspection on July 23.
The inspection was part of a government operation targeting suspected nominee shareholding and unauthorised foreign business activities. According to officials, a man at the premises approached the inspection team and asked whether they knew it was Israeli territory.
Polapee responded that Thai law applied to everyone in the country, saying: “This is Thailand. Everyone on Thai soil must comply with Thai law. No one has the right to claim sovereignty over Thailand.”
The deputy minister said the government did not discriminate on the basis of nationality, religion or the source of investment, but stressed that foreign residents and businesses must operate in accordance with Thai law.
Following the inspection, the Interior Ministry ordered an expanded investigation into 361 Phuket businesses considered at risk of breaching foreign business regulations.
According to Nation TV, government agencies had previously visited the Patong Chabad House several times and reminded its operators that all activities must comply with Thai law.
Chabad operates under the Chabad of Thailand Foundation, which has six to seven centres nationwide, including in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, Mae Hong Son and Phuket. Religious freedom is protected under Thailand’s Constitution, while activities remain subject to Thai law and public order.
