Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed an order revoking the Thai citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, the country's Chabad leader and chief rabbi of its Jewish community. The main reason cited was Kantor's use of his American passport on 16 occasions, even after becoming a Thai citizen in 2013.
According to a statement from Thailand's Interior Ministry, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which operates under the Justice Ministry, identified 16 instances in which Kantor used an American passport to enter and leave destinations in Australia. The most recent documented case occurred on January 26.
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Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor violated the conditions of his naturalization, according to Thai authorities
The ministry said Kantor was aware of the conditions attached to his naturalization when he applied for Thai citizenship but continued to use his previous nationality. Thai authorities said this constituted a violation of the naturalization requirements.
The prime minister acted under Section 19(2) of Thailand's Nationality Act of 1965, which allows authorities to revoke citizenship obtained through naturalization when continued use of a previous nationality is established. The order also stated that Kantor's conduct could adversely affect national security, the economy and society.
Kantor obtained Thai citizenship under Section 10 of the law, with his naturalization published in the official government gazette on April 11, 2013. His first Thai national identification card was issued on May 2, 2013.
A prominent Chabad leader, Kantor arrived in Bangkok in 1993 to serve as rabbi of the local Jewish community and has headed Chabad Thailand ever since. He is also a leading figure in the Jewish Association of Thailand.
Raids on Chabad centers raise concerns of broader crackdown
The decision follows a series of raids by Thai authorities at various locations as part of investigations into business operations, properties and financial transactions. Business documents were seized during the searches, although no criminal findings have been reported so far. Authorities also conducted raids on Chabad centers across the country.
Chabad House in Bangkok
In a separate move, Thai officials demanded the removal of Jewish remains from a Jewish cemetery whose operating license had expired.
Taken together, these developments have raised suspicions of a coordinated campaign targeting the Jewish community, amid a broader crackdown on Israelis and the Israeli presence in Thailand. No official connection between the measures has been established.
Chabad Thailand: 'The decision saddens us'
Chabad Thailand expressed regret over the citizenship revocation while emphasizing its respect for Thai authorities and the country's legal system.
"Rabbi Kantor has served the Jewish community in Thailand for more than 30 years, and Thailand is home to him and his family," the organization said in a statement.
"We respect the Kingdom of Thailand, its laws and its institutions, and we are grateful for the hospitality it has extended over the years. We are saddened by the decision, and the matter is being addressed through the appropriate legal channels, with full confidence in the Thai system," the statement also said. "Chabad centers in Thailand are operating as usual and will continue to warmly welcome every Jew and Israeli who comes here."