Phuket Activists Plan New Protest Against Chabad House on October 31

The Phuket Land Protection Group (PLPG) and several allied organisations are preparing another protest against Chabad House Patong. The rally, titled “Take Back Our Country”, is scheduled for October 31 at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town, as opposition to the Jewish religious centre continues.

The demonstration is expected to take place from 4pm to 10pm. Organisers include PLPG, Reclaim Thailand and around 20 other networks, with participants expected to arrive from Phuket and neighbouring provinces along the Andaman coast.

According to the organisers, the rally will focus on what they describe as illegal activities, influential vested interests and suspected illicit business networks allegedly linked to Israeli interests and Chabad. These broader allegations have not been substantiated by provincial investigators.

Krit Thepbamrung, a representative of Reclaim Thailand, said preparations were being coordinated with the organisation’s central leadership, headed by political activist Sondhi Limthongkul, a former prominent figure in the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Sondhi is listed among the planned speakers, along with Pichit Chaimongkol, also known as Tum KPT, and Akkarawut Kraisisombat, known as Tae Acheewa. Representatives from Phuket are also expected to address the gathering.

In a social media announcement, PLPG said community leaders from across the Andaman coast had agreed to take part. A separate promotional post by Saichol Nuchet called for Chabad and groups accused of illicit activities to be expelled from Thailand.

The planned demonstration follows an earlier campaign against Jewish New Year celebrations in Patong. On September 11, protesters gathered outside Chabad House and displayed messages opposing Israel and expressing hostility towards Jewish people.

The latest protest plans come as Phuket authorities continue examining the centre’s land ownership, business arrangements and building permits.

A provincial investigation report issued on September 30 found no irregularities in the financial transactions examined at that stage. However, officials identified concerns involving the use of parts of the property, including a parking area converted into a restaurant or cafe and an unauthorised steel structure on the rooftop.

Investigations into imported products and possible nominee arrangements were also ongoing. The findings concerning the financial transactions did not resolve all outstanding questions about the property and its operations.