BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand has revoked the citizenship of a rabbi who leads the Jewish community and the Chabad network in Thailand, in the latest move in a government campaign targeting foreigners accused of violating laws or residency regulations, according to a Bloomberg report on October 29.
The order, signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, concerns Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor. Bloomberg reported that the order cited his continued use of a US passport for international travel after he became a naturalized Thai citizen in 2013, including 16 trips to and from Australia.
Thai law allows the Interior Minister to revoke citizenship acquired through naturalization if evidence shows that the individual continues to use their former nationality.
Kantor had not publicly commented on the decision at the time of the report. Bloomberg said he had served as head of the Chabad network in Thailand since 1993. Chabad is a global Orthodox Jewish movement headquartered in New York.
The decision comes amid a wider government effort to enforce regulations involving foreign residents, visitors and businesses. New rules introduced in August allow authorities to deport foreigners more quickly if their conduct is considered a threat to public order. Officials have also increased investigations into businesses controlled by foreigners and land suspected of being held through Thai nominees.
The case follows the revocation of Thai citizenship from a businessman on October 1. Authorities said he continued using an Israeli passport and had failed to disclose his Uruguayan nationality when applying for naturalization.
In October, investigators also searched Chabad premises and other locations linked to the Jewish community while examining businesses and assets suspected of nominee ownership.
Thai authorities have stressed that the investigations concern possible legal violations, not nationality or religion. Bloomberg reported that no evidence of wrongdoing had been found involving Kantor or Chabad.
