Phuket Jewish New Year Event to Go Ahead Despite Calls for Cancellation

A Jewish New Year celebration planned by Chabad Patong will go ahead tomorrow, September 11, despite calls from a Phuket residents’ group to cancel the event over concerns about possible violence and security risks.

The decision follows a petition submitted by the Protect Phuket Land Group, which had urged provincial authorities to stop the celebration at Chabad House Patong and a hotel in the area.

The group expressed concern that the gathering, originally expected to attract at least 1,000 Jewish residents and visitors, could become a target for a third party and potentially lead to security problems or violence.

Following the petition, Phuket officials convened a meeting with relevant agencies and representatives of Chabad Patong. Participants discussed security concerns and the possible impact of the situation on Phuket’s image as an international tourism destination, while asking the organiser to reconsider holding the event.

During a meeting on September 9, Chabad Patong confirmed that the celebration would proceed.

The organiser said cancelling the event at this stage would result in significant losses for Chabad Patong and, in its view, could also harm Phuket’s reputation as an international tourist destination.

Chabad Patong explained that the celebration is held every year and is part of a Jewish New Year tradition observed around the world. Tickets had already been sold and preparations for the event had been completed.

However, in response to the security concerns, the organiser agreed to reduce the scale of the celebration to make it easier to manage security.

The event will now take place exclusively at Chabad Patong instead of being divided between Chabad and a hotel in the area. Attendance will also be limited to 800 people, compared with the original plan for around 1,000 attendees.

The celebration was initially scheduled to run from 4pm until midnight. Under the revised arrangements, it will end at 9pm.