October 29, 2026
Thailand revoked the citizenship of the chief rabbi in the country
The Prime Minister of Thailand signed a decree revoking the Thai citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor.
The rabbi leads Chabad in the country and heads the local Jewish community.
According to the Thai Ministry of Interior, the rabbi used his American passport 16 times after receiving Thai citizenship in 2013.
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The ministry claims that by doing so, the rabbi acted against the conditions for obtaining citizenship.
Rabbi Kantor arrived in Thailand in 1993 and has been active there for over 30 years. Recently, the authorities also conducted searches in Chabad houses in the country.
Chabad Thailand stated that they regret the decision and are working through legal means to change it. They emphasized that Chabad houses continue to operate as usual and welcome Jews and Israelis.