Thailand investigates Jewish network over ‘Israeli’-linked land purchases

• Thailand is investigating reported land purchases by ‘Israeli’-linked businesses in the country’s southern provinces, officials said.
• Authorities are also examining Chabad-Lubavitch centers, including their land ownership, funding, permits and corporate links.
• The inquiry follows scrutiny of a Chabad center in Phuket and a Jewish cemetery project in Chachoengsao.

Thailand has widened an investigation into Chabad-Lubavitch centers and businesses linked to ‘Israeli’ nationals after officials received allegations that a network had purchased land worth nearly 100 million baht ($3.1 million) in three southern provinces.

Deputy Interior Minister Phonphir Suwannachawi said this week that authorities would investigate reported land purchases in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat to establish who owns the properties, how they were acquired and their intended use. 

The investigation also covers reports of new Chabad centers in southern Thailand, with provincial authorities instructed to examine land ownership, construction permits, funding and activities, Phonphir said.

Thailand has around eight or nine Chabad centers nationwide, according to the minister. Chabad-Lubavitch is a Hasidic Jewish movement that operates community centers around the world, including facilities serving Jewish residents and travellers.

The wider scrutiny began in Phuket, where authorities ordered an investigation into Chabad House Patong after a large Rosh Hashanah gathering planned for 'Israeli' travellers was cancelled following a protest in the area.

Phuket officials subsequently found construction alterations that did not conform to approved plans and expanded their investigation to associated companies, shareholding structures, property businesses and tour operations. Two companies under examination were reported to have combined assets of about 261.58 million baht.

Authorities are also examining possible corporate links between Chabad-related businesses and a company connected to a Jewish cemetery project in Chachoengsao province.

Phonphir said officials wanted to determine the source of funding for projects that were not intended to generate income, questioning how investments of tens of millions of baht had been financed.

He also said several lawmakers had provided information alleging that 'Israeli'-linked companies involved in cemetery and other businesses had acquired land in Thailand's southern border provinces.

The minister said he planned to visit the area to investigate the ownership and purpose of the properties, adding that authorities were concerned that certain uses could create religious or cultural tensions.

The Thai government has separately been examining suspected nominee arrangements, in which Thai nationals allegedly hold assets or businesses on behalf of foreigners. Officials have stressed that the investigations are intended to establish compliance with Thai law rather than establish wrongdoing based on nationality or religion.

Chabad representatives have rejected suggestions of unlawful activity, saying their centres operate legally and comply with Thai regulations. The investigation remains ongoing.

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