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A rally outside Israel’s embassy in Bangkok drew hundreds of demonstrators on Thursday, some of whom carried signs declaring “Jews out” in an open display of antisemitism.
Thai conspiracy theorist Sondhi Limthongkul led the demonstration and read a letter addressed to Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Alona Fisher-Kamm. The document accused Chabad centers of acquiring property in Thailand to “advance the objectives orchestrated and funded by international Zionist networks,” the Bangkok Post reported.
“The era of gentle diplomatic pleasantries and calculated silence, which has been misinterpreted as tacit consent, has come to an end,” Limthongkul said.
Among its demands were an end to Israel’s military activities in Gaza and Israeli assistance with prosecutions stemming from Limthongkul’s allegations that some Israelis had disregarded local customs and left bills unpaid in Thailand.
Additional placards read “Thailand is not for sale” and “boycott Israel.” Another explicitly targeted Jews: “You Jewish folks don’t understand Thai culture, so get out.”
Recent disputes over tourist conduct in Thailand have involved visitors of several nationalities. In one prominent case, authorities deported an Israeli man last week after he was convicted of threatening a Koh Samui zoo owner who had displayed a Palestinian flag.
Another protest was planned for Friday roughly 550 meters from a Chabad center in Phuket hosting a Rosh Hashanah celebration. Activists had petitioned authorities to cancel the event, but organizers confirmed it would proceed. Security concerns prompted them to reduce the anticipated attendance from 1,000 guests to 800.
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