CHIANG MAI, Thailand – A Jewish New Year celebration in Chiang Mai has been moved from the local Chabad centre to a private hotel venue, with security measures in place to protect participants and maintain privacy.
The Chabad centre on Chang Klan Road remained active throughout Friday, with Israeli and other Jewish visitors continuing to arrive. The day coincided with the Jewish New Year and Friday Shabbat, when religious observances begin after sunset and continue into Saturday morning.
Security personnel at the Chiang Mai Chabad centre said Jewish visitors were expected to attend the New Year celebration, but space at the centre was not considered suitable for the gathering. The organisers therefore rented a venue at a hotel in the city for a private celebration.
The event was being held privately to provide greater privacy and security for those attending.
A visit by local news teams to the area outside a hotel believed to be hosting the celebration found no groups staging protests against Jewish or Israeli visitors. Police patrols were also seen checking the area around the hotel periodically.
Investigation into Jewish cemetery
Separately, Deputy Interior Minister Pholapee Suwannachwee, together with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and local authorities, inspected a Jewish cemetery in Samet Tai subdistrict, Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao, following the discovery of four foreign bodies reportedly buried without death notifications being submitted to authorities.
Officials initially found that the site did not have a licence to operate as a cemetery or crematorium under Thai law and was not being used as a recognised religious ceremonial site. Four bodies were found at the location. Two were reportedly buried in 2023, while others were buried in 2025 and 2026, with evidence suggesting that some burials took place while the site did not have the required licence.
Another body remained under a tent covered with shade cloth and had not yet been sealed with concrete. Officials believed it may have been brought to the site this year. Authorities have ordered the relevant agencies to establish the identities of all four deceased people and verify whether they are foreigners as indicated by the grave markers. They will also examine the causes of death, including whether they resulted from natural causes, accidents or possible foul play.
Officials said the investigation is necessary because the deaths had not been reported to local authorities. The company involved in transporting the bodies has been asked to provide identification documents and certificates confirming the causes of death before any further movement of the bodies is permitted.
Authorities are also examining a Jewish cemetery on Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok. That site has a valid licence and is owned by a Thai national, but an Israeli group has reportedly leased an area of about 112–115 square wah, where 49 graves are located. Officials want to examine the background and arrangements there as well.
The total number of licensed cemeteries and cremation facilities in Thailand remains unclear. Authorities are scheduled to hold an online meeting at 4 p.m. on Sunday to clarify the number and status of cemeteries and cremation sites nationwide and determine the next steps concerning the four bodies found in Chachoengsao. (TNA)
