Sondhi Limthongkul led supporters of the "Taking Back Our Thailand" movement to the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on September 10, calling for action over alleged foreign domination of Thai real estate and concerns about some Israeli visitors.
The gathering began at 9am outside Ocean Tower 2 on Sukhumvit 21 in Asoke, where the embassy is based. Pantep Puapongphan, Nititorn Lamlua and Phichit Chaimongkol joined Sondhi, along with network leaders and a large number of members of the public, including Sirinat Samut, known as Sai Samut.
The group said it wanted to submit a letter demanding a crackdown on foreign capital acquiring property in Thailand, including through Thai nominees. It said the aim was to protect Thai sovereignty, the interests of Thai people and domestic businesses.
Embassy meeting offer declined
At about 10.15am, Sondhi told the crowd that the Israeli Embassy had said no staff were working that day, but that the ambassador was prepared to receive him privately at a later date.
Sondhi said he declined because the visit was being made on behalf of Thai people across the country and should not become a private discussion.
He then read an open letter to the embassy in English and Thai. It called on the Thai government and Israeli Embassy to address the issues in practical terms rather than merely acknowledge the complaint through diplomatic procedure.
The letter raised allegations involving the behaviour of some Israeli tourists and residents in Thailand, including alleged lawbreaking, disrespect for local customs, fraud and unpaid service bills. It said such cases had repeatedly affected local communities and prompted calls for more serious regulation.
Visa policy among protesters' concerns
Sai Samut said he had returned from the United States at 4am that morning before attending the rally. He argued that Thai people needed to work together to "take our country back from the government", claiming government administration had harmed Thai people's dignity.
He identified visa-free entry as the starting point of the problem, alleging that some visitors entered Thailand as tourists before operating businesses, settling in the country and mistreating Thai people without government protection.
Sai compared the current atmosphere to the period before the fall of Ayutthaya, while saying he had no political colour and would oppose anyone, of any nationality, who broke laws or failed to respect others.
Four demands
The group is making four demands to the Israeli embassy and government:
1. Maintain strict control over citizens by enforcing training measures and emphasizing to Israeli tourists the importance of respecting Thai laws and culture.
2. Do not protect offenders; cooperate with the Thai police and authorities in prosecuting Israeli citizens who commit crimes, without using diplomatic intervention.
3. Disclose land ownership and cooperate transparently in the investigation of land ownership and operations of the Chabad Center, as well as related organizations in Thailand.
4. Send a message to the Israeli government urging them to end their atrocities against civilians in conflict zones and to abide by international humanitarian law.
Further rallies planned
Sondhi said the government should be concerned if it continued to favour capital interests rather than managing the situation. He said he would next submit a complaint concerning "Chinese grey capital" and planned speaking events in Chon Buri, Chanthaburi and Khon Kaen.
He also said the movement could gather again after the Election Commission's expected September 14 decision on whether the Senate election collusion case should be sent to the Supreme Court's Election Cases Division.
Separately, national artist Aed Carabao, real name Yuenyong Opakul, said he had recorded a song titled "Where Do Jewish People Come From?" in support of the movement. He cited previous warnings he had posted about alleged Israeli takeovers in Pai, Mae Hong Son, and Koh Phangan, Surat Thani.
Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath
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10 September 2026
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