Phuket tensions rise as over 500 protesters march through Patong to Chabad House, while a major Jewish New Year event is cancelled. Anti-Israel signs, police lines and a widening campaign over foreign businesses and land grip the resort.
A protest of more than 500 people swept through Patong on Friday, forcing the cancellation of a major Rosh Hashanah gathering at Chabad House. Marchers carried anti-Israel signs and chanted “Free Palestine” as police sealed off the premises and managed traffic. The demonstration followed days of pressure over Jewish events, foreign-linked businesses, landholding and Israeli visitors. It also widened a campaign linked to veteran protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul, while separate action against a Jewish cemetery added further momentum.
More than 500 protesters marched through Patong on Friday as opposition to Israeli and Jewish-linked activities intensified in Phuket. The protest targeted Chabad House and coincided with planned Jewish New Year celebrations in the resort city. Meanwhile, the main Rosh Hashanah gathering was cancelled at the last minute amid mounting security concerns.
The demonstration brought together the Save Phuket group and allied networks of Thai Buddhists and Muslims. Save Phuket is also known as the Phuket Land Protection Group. Protesters began gathering at Dolphin Roundabout on Patong Beach at about 4 pm on September 11. From there, they marched towards Chabad House on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road.
The route took demonstrators through one of Phuket’s busiest international tourist areas. Notably, protesters carried placards bearing the message “SAVE PHUKET NO ISRAEL”. Some participants also chanted “Free Palestine” as the column moved through Patong. Despite persistent rain, the march continued and numbers eventually climbed above 500.
Akkhrawut rallies 500 protesters as police guard their march towards Chabad House through Patong
Akkhrawut Kraisisombat travelled from Bangkok and arrived at the demonstration at about 5 pm. Soon afterwards, he addressed protesters from a rally truck as the gathering continued in the rain. He urged participants to demonstrate their strength and stand firm. His appeal drew cheers from the crowd.
In parallel, police and administrative officials closely monitored the march towards Chabad House. Personnel from Patong Police Station were deployed throughout the surrounding area. Local administrative officers also joined the operation. Their duties included maintaining public order, assisting the public and managing traffic.
Additionally, officials sought to prevent disturbances and minimise disruption to residents and tourists. The protest was unfolding inside one of Phuket’s most important tourism centres. Hotels, tourism businesses and local traffic surrounded the protest route. Consequently, police maintained a visible presence as the demonstrators advanced.
The crowd eventually reached Chabad House on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road. There, administrative officers formed a line outside the premises. The Kathu district chief also opened negotiations with protest coordinators. Protesters were told they could not enter Chabad House.
Protesters face public assembly restrictions after days of pressure over Jewish New Year events in Patong
Furthermore, demonstrators were instructed not to obstruct traffic and had to comply with public assembly rules. Police and administrative personnel remained deployed while negotiations continued. Despite the large turnout, no serious disorder was reported. The gathering subsequently ended peacefully.
However, Friday’s march followed several days of mounting pressure over planned Rosh Hashanah celebrations in Patong. Three days earlier, the Phuket Land Protection Group had formally demanded official intervention. Representatives submitted a written request at Phuket Provincial Hall on September 8.
The letter was addressed to Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum. Siwat Rawangkul received it on the governor’s behalf. At the time, Mr Siwat served as Mueang Phuket District Chief and Acting Phuket Provincial Palad.
Specifically, the complaint challenged Rosh Hashanah celebrations scheduled from September 11 until September 13. Events were originally planned at Chabad House Patong and the Novotel Phuket Resort. Police expected about 1,000 people to attend. Yet the Phuket Land Protection Group demanded further scrutiny before the celebrations proceeded.
Group representative Saichol Nuchet asked officials to investigate the organisers and venues. He also sought checks on expected attendance and security arrangements. In particular, the group cited security concerns connected with the continuing Middle East conflict.
Save Phuket cites security risks while supporters display anti-Jewish signs during complaint in Phuket
According to its submission, a large gathering could potentially become a target. Alternatively, the group warned that third parties could attempt to disrupt proceedings. Siamphong Kongrach, the village headman of Kamala, also attended the submission.
Mr Siamphong said the group had received complaints from local residents. As a result, it wanted officials to assess possible consequences for surrounding communities. The group also raised potential effects on tourists and public safety. Likewise, representatives cited possible consequences for Phuket’s reputation as an international tourist destination.
The group maintained that its objections were not based on religion, nationality or race. Rather, representatives said security and possible impacts on Phuket were their concerns. However, some supporters standing beside Mr Saichol carried substantially stronger messages.
One supporter displayed a sign reading “No Jews… Get Out”. Another carried the message “No Israel”. At the same time, the group opposed celebrations at Chabad House and hotels in the area. It asked provincial officials to consider measures aimed at preventing possible disturbances.
In response, Mr Siwat said the concerns would be discussed with the governor and relevant security agencies. He said officials would handle the matter within the legal framework. Public safety would also be considered.
Police prepare 50 officers as Phuket officials reject calls to prohibit private Rosh Hashanah celebrations
Separately, police had already started preparing for the Jewish New Year celebrations. Around 50 uniformed and plainclothes officers were due to provide security. Administrative officials were also assigned to the operation.
Initially, police said no officially organised protest against the celebrations had been identified. Even so, officers continued monitoring developments as opposition increased. Police also reported no specific threat against the Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
Importantly, the celebrations were planned for private property. Therefore, police said they did not require permission as public events. Nevertheless, the organisers requested police assistance. That support covered security, traffic management and emergency response.
On another front, pressure against the celebrations continued building. Provincial officials initially declined demands to stop the events. They concluded there were insufficient grounds to prohibit the private religious gathering. Instead, police reinforcements were prepared and officials planned to separate protesters from participants.
As part of this, negotiations produced significant changes to the original Rosh Hashanah arrangements. Initially, about 1,000 Jewish residents and visitors were expected across two venues. The plans were then reduced to one venue. Attendance was also capped at 800 people.
Main Rosh Hashanah gathering is cancelled as hundreds of protesters march towards Chabad House in Patong
The reduced gathering was scheduled from 4 pm until 9 pm on Friday. By then, however, opposition had moved from formal complaints towards a major street demonstration. The security picture changed sharply as Friday’s march approached.
Ultimately, the main Rosh Hashanah gathering was cancelled at the last minute amid security concerns. A message was sent to registered participants. It warned that the protest could become violent and instructed recipients not to approach the area.
Israeli reporting linked the cancellation to concerns raised by Israeli security officials. At roughly the same time, hundreds of protesters were moving through Patong towards Chabad House. Thai reporting recorded demonstrators reaching Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road.
At that point, administrative officials maintained a line outside the premises. The Kathu district chief negotiated directly with protest coordinators. Demonstrators remained outside Chabad House and were prohibited from entering. They were also told not to obstruct traffic.
Meanwhile, people registered for the main celebration had already been warned to stay away. The mass holiday gathering was therefore cancelled while the street demonstration continued. Police remained deployed around the area. Eventually, protesters dispersed without serious disorder.
Earlier Patong rally broadens into campaign over Israeli visitors, foreign businesses, land and Chabad
Friday’s confrontation was not Save Phuket’s first protest in Patong. On August 28, the Phuket Land Protection Group organised another rally at Loma Park. That demonstration also remained peaceful. However, some participants displayed posters depicting the Israeli flag engulfed in flames.
A Palestinian flag was also displayed on stage despite police warnings. Subsequently, the campaign continued and its focus broadened. Save Phuket and associated campaigners raised concerns about foreign businesses, land ownership and security.
Beyond that, campaigners questioned the conduct of some foreign visitors and effects on local communities. Chabad House and Israeli-linked activities increasingly became part of that campaign. The movement therefore connected several separate issues during rallies and public statements.
These included Israeli visitors, foreign-linked businesses, landholding and local security. Chabad organisations also became a growing focus. Some campaign supporters displayed explicitly anti-Jewish messages. Even so, group representatives maintained that religion, race and nationality were not the campaign’s basis.
Instead, representatives repeatedly cited security, foreign activities and local interests. The Phuket dispute also became connected with developments elsewhere in Thailand. Mr Saichol publicly commented on official action involving a Jewish cemetery in Chachoengsao.
On September 7, Chachoengsao Governor Chatpra-orn Niyom ordered action at the cemetery in Bang Khla. Officials ordered structures removed and remains relocated within seven days. The order followed findings concerning the cemetery’s operating licence.
Expired cemetery licence triggers removal order as operator challenges licensing decision before court
The licence had expired and had not been renewed. However, the operator challenged the licensing decision through the Administrative Court. Mr Saichol subsequently shared a social media post concerning the order.
“This is it! Decisive action prioritising the benefit of the nation,” he wrote. His intervention came one day before the Phuket group submitted its complaint against the Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
Elsewhere on Phuket, another religious event had recently received local government financial support. The Mai Khao Tambon Administrative Organisation supported the 20th annual Mawlid fair. The local body provided ฿700,000 in public funds.
The three-day Islamic religious and cultural gathering marked the Hijri New Year. It included religious ceremonies, lectures, study sessions and performances. In addition, local officials and Muslim religious leaders attended the event.
Sondhi-linked Bangkok protest feeds Phuket campaign as more than 500 march towards Chabad House in Patong
Against this backdrop, pressure surrounding Chabad House intensified throughout the week. The Phuket dispute also became linked with a separate Bangkok protest on Thursday. Veteran street protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul was connected with the widening campaign following that demonstration.
The Bangkok gathering took place outside the Israeli Embassy. There, demonstrators raised concerns about Israeli visitors and foreign influence. They also connected those concerns with foreign land ownership and suspected nominee businesses. Claims involving Chabad organisations also formed part of the protest.
Later, Israeli reporting said Sondhi travelled to Phuket following Thursday’s demonstration. By Friday afternoon, hundreds of protesters were assembling at Patong Beach. Heavy rain failed to stop the gathering. More than 500 participants eventually joined the protest.
They marched from Dolphin Roundabout towards Chabad House carrying anti-Israel placards. Along the way, some participants chanted “Free Palestine”. Police and administrative officials tracked the march through central Patong.
Because of the location, traffic management became a significant part of the security operation. The route ran through an area packed with hotels and tourism businesses. Officers sought to keep roads moving while preventing disturbances.
Police keep protesters outside Chabad House after Rosh Hashanah event is cut from 1,000 to 800 guests
Once the march reached Chabad House, administrative officers maintained separation outside the premises. The Kathu district chief then dealt directly with protest coordinators. Police continued managing traffic while keeping demonstrators outside.
By contrast, the planned Rosh Hashanah celebration had already undergone substantial changes. Around 1,000 participants were initially expected across two venues. Following official discussions, that became one venue with an 800-person limit.
Still, even the reduced main gathering did not proceed as planned. Registered participants instead received a warning to stay away. The Save Phuket march was already heading towards Chabad House.
Three days earlier, campaigners had asked the governor to intervene. At that stage, provincial officials found no legal basis to prohibit the private gathering. Police had also reported no specific threat against the celebrations.
Accordingly, officials initially chose increased security rather than cancellation. Additional police were prepared and traffic measures were arranged. Officials also intended to keep protesters and participants separated.
More than 500 protesters reach Chabad House as cancelled Jewish New Year event marks Patong escalation
By Friday, circumstances on the ground had changed. More than 500 protesters assembled before marching through central Patong. Anti-Israel signs were carried openly through the international tourist district. Some demonstrators also chanted “Free Palestine” while persistent rain fell.
Simultaneously, the main Jewish New Year gathering was cancelled amid security concerns. Demonstrators then reached Chabad House under close official supervision. Administrative officers formed a line outside while the Kathu district chief negotiated with organisers.
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Throughout the confrontation, police kept protesters outside and sought to maintain traffic flows. The demonstrators eventually dispersed without serious disorder. Yet the planned mass Rosh Hashanah gathering had not taken place.
The outcome marked a significant escalation from the August 28 Save Phuket rally. More significantly, the campaign had moved directly to the entrance of Chabad House in central Patong.
By Friday evening, more than 500 protesters had marched through Phuket’s busiest tourist district. Police had contained the demonstration without serious disorder. The large Jewish New Year gathering scheduled for that afternoon, however, had been cancelled.
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