Phuket Group Calls for Cancellation of Planned Jewish New Year Event in Patong

A Phuket residents’ group has called on provincial authorities to cancel a planned Rosh Hashanah celebration in Patong, warning that security concerns and tensions surrounding the event could lead to protests and possible unrest.

Members of the Protect Phuket Land Group, led by Saichon Nuchet, submitted a letter to the Phuket governor at Phuket Provincial Hall at around 10am on September 8. The petition objects to a Jewish New Year celebration planned by Chabad Patong for September 11.

The letter was received by Mueang Phuket district chief Siwat Rawangkul, who was acting on behalf of the provincial administration.

Saichon said the group had been informed that between 1,000 and 2,000 people could attend the celebration. According to him, the expected participants would be Israelis, with no Thai nationals or people of other nationalities taking part.

He said local residents were concerned that such a large gathering could become a target for a third party attempting to provoke unrest. Any incident, he warned, could potentially damage Phuket’s image as a tourism destination.

Saichon also argued that the circumstances this year are different from previous years, citing heightened tensions related to Israel and what he described as stronger opposition among some Thai and foreign residents.

The group has asked provincial authorities to reconsider the event and called for it to be cancelled entirely this year, regardless of whether it is held at Chabad or at a hotel. Saichon also urged officials to put sufficient security measures in place to prevent possible violence or disorder.

He said that if the organisers proceeded with the celebration, the group was prepared to intensify its campaign and continue pressing for the event to be cancelled this year.

Provincial officials were expected to coordinate with relevant agencies, invite representatives of Chabad to discuss the concerns raised by the public and hold talks with the group that submitted the petition.

Siwat said that no decision had yet been made on whether the celebration would be permitted to take place.

He explained that the province would assess three key factors — the law, the current situation and public sentiment. Siwat noted that last year’s celebration was held at a hotel with tight security, but said significantly stronger security arrangements might be required if the event goes ahead this year.

At the same time, Siwat stressed that Israeli tourists who are genuinely visiting Phuket have the right to travel around the province.

Another representative of the group, Thatchaphon, said residents wanted a clear decision from provincial authorities and believed that cancelling the celebration would help ease tensions.

He warned that protesters would move to block access to the venue if the event proceeded and said the group was ready to increase its opposition.

Thatchaphon also questioned how the province would respond if local authorities attempted to stop the celebration while the central government permitted it to continue. He asked what measures would then be implemented to prevent the situation from escalating into violence.