Community
Thailand revokes chief Chabad rabbi's citizenship, probes his business ties
By Jewish Life Staff, . Jewish Life.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed an order this week revoking the Thai citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, who has led the Chabad-Lubavitch community in Thailand since arriving in Bangkok in 1993, The Algemeiner reported.
April 2013 was when Kantor received Thai citizenship, according to The Algemeiner. The Algemeiner also reported that he holds a prominent role in the Jewish Association of Thailand.
What triggered the revocation
Thailand's Interior Ministry said findings by the Department of Special Investigation showed Kantor used his American passport to travel in and out of Australia 16 times, most recently in January, according to The Algemeiner. Authorities said those actions violated Thailand's Nationality Act of 1965, which allows the government to cancel a naturalized citizen's status when continued use of a prior nationality is established.
The revocation order also stated that Kantor's conduct could harm national security, the economy and Thai society, the report said.
What investigators are now examining
Thai authorities are looking at 19 companies linked to Kantor, along with his land holdings and the citizenship status of relatives who received Thai nationality through him, Haaretz reported, citing Bloomberg. No assets have been seized, Bloomberg told Haaretz.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwanchawee said on Friday that if wrongdoing is found, authorities will seize and freeze assets and require their sale under Thai law, according to JNS, citing the Bangkok Post. Any land Kantor acquired while holding Thai nationality would also be subject to forced sale, the minister added.
Protests and calls to close Chabad Houses
Two days after the order was signed, a rally took place on Phuket Island under the banner "Unite to Take Back Our Thailand," JNS reported, citing Thai public broadcaster Thai PBS. Protesters called for the closure of Chabad Houses across the country, framing their demands around alleged illegal activities by foreign nationals, including Israelis, that they said harm local businesses and residents.
The Phuket Land Protection Group, one of several organizations at the rally, raised what it called national security concerns about those alleged activities, according to the report.
Chabad of Thailand operates seven houses, located in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Phuket, Pai, Koh Phangan and Nonthaburi, according to Chabad Thailand's website as cited by JNS.
In September, Thai authorities had already launched a separate investigation into a Jewish community center in Phuket over its land ownership, permits and commercial licenses, The Algemeiner previously reported. That inquiry came days after a Rosh Hashanah dinner, the Jewish New Year celebration, planned for 2,000 people was abruptly canceled amid concerns about a nearby pro-Palestinian protest.
Chabad's response
Chabad of Thailand said it was saddened by the citizenship decision but respects the Thai legal system. "We are addressing the matter through the proper legal channels, with full confidence in the Thai legal system, and we look forward to continuing to work together with the Thai authorities and people for many years to come," the organization said in a statement quoted by The Algemeiner. The statement added that all Chabad Houses and synagogues in Thailand remain open and will continue to serve visitors.
Sources
1. Report: Protesters demand closure of Thailand's Chabad Houses after rabbi's citizenship revoked, jns.org
2. Report: Thailand probes assets of chief Chabad rabbi after revoked citizenship, haaretz.com
3. Thailand Strips Country's Chief Rabbi of Citizenship for Using US Passport, algemeiner.com