Thailand's Interior Ministry has confirmed that Israeli nationals, including individuals described as business executives and religious leaders, were granted Thai citizenship more than 10 years ago.

Deputy Interior Minister Pholphir Suwanchawee said on 9 August that officials had found more than one such case and were now conducting a retrospective investigation into whether the citizenship process was legally correct.

The names and further details cannot yet be released because inquiries are still under way, he said.

Ministry examines old citizenship approvals

The review follows claims on a popular social-media page that a network of Israeli people had obtained Thai nationality and Thai national identity cards.

Pholphir said the initial check had established that the individuals in question did genuinely hold Thai citizenship, acquired more than a decade earlier.

At the time their applications were considered, he said, officials would presumably have had documents and evidence that led them to conclude the applicants were qualified for citizenship. However, the Interior Ministry must now look back at whether every part of the process complied with the law.

"Whatever nationality they hold, if they do anything illegal, they will ultimately face legal action," Pholphir said.

Chabad connection and company scrutiny

The deputy minister also addressed reports that those granted citizenship were directors of Chabad, a Jewish religious organisation.

He said they were not Chabad directors, but directors of a company that owns premises where a Chabad facility is located. The company had been registered in the form of another company with nominee characteristics, he said, prompting the investigation.

Authorities are following up on both potentially illegal business operations and financial flows, Pholphir added.

No names have been published and no findings of wrongdoing have been announced. The ministry says its review and investigation must be completed before further details can be disclosed.

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11 August 2026

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Did these Thai citizens remain in Thailand? Is PR not a prerequisite for citizenship consideration? If any are women, marriage to a Thai is one route to citizenship.

Sounds like another nominee investigation.

Nominee business with "employees" paying "taxes" and applying as such.

All "legal" of course.

Edited August 11Aug 11 by VocalNeal

In all probability these Thai citizenships were bought and paid for under-the-table.

Good luck bringing the Thai bureaucrats to justice in these cold cases - they're every bit as devious and slippery as the Israelis.

13 hours ago, MisterTee said:

In all probability these Thai citizenships were bought and paid for under-the-table.

If so --

Forgery of Official Documents (Sections 265–266): -- Falsifying birth certificates, hospital records, or household registrations carries prison terms of 6 months up to 5 years (or up to 10 years for specific official documents of right). Under Section 95 of the Thai Criminal Code, offenses carrying maximum imprisonment terms over 1 year up to 7 years prescribe in 10 years, while those carrying terms over 7 up to 20 years prescribe in 15 years. (prescribe = statute limitations)

1 hour ago, JerryM said:

If so --

Forgery of Official Documents (Sections 265–266): -- Falsifying birth certificates, hospital records, or household registrations carries prison terms of 6 months up to 5 years (or up to 10 years for specific official documents of right). Under Section 95 of the Thai Criminal Code, offenses carrying maximum imprisonment terms over 1 year up to 7 years prescribe in 10 years, while those carrying terms over 7 up to 20 years prescribe in 15 years. (prescribe = statute limitations)

Thanks for that clarification.

It's on the books, but in how many cases are those punishments imposed? Not many and not often, I'd guess.

A good first step would be revocation of citizenship and deportation of the Israelis and any other nationalities involved.

But don't hold your breath... TIT.

5 minutes ago, MisterTee said:

Thanks for that clarification.

It's on the books, but in how many cases are those punishments imposed? Not many and not often, I'd guess.

A good first step would be revocation of citizenship and deportation of the Israelis and any other nationalities involved.

But don't hold your breath... TIT.

Well the closest thing of substance is the hospital/Thai official raid claiming a Thai taxi driver was the father of a Chinese father-mother baby.

headline JULY 11 -- A multi-billion Baht "nationality laundering" ring has been blown wide open in Bangkok.

Perhaps the granting of citizenship over the past 10 to 15 years is something that should undergo a broader check than focusing merely on this group. I'll bet far more shenanigans are happening with Chinese getting Thai citizenship.

18 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Did these Thai citizens remain in Thailand? Is PR not a prerequisite for citizenship consideration? If any are women, marriage to a Thai is one route to citizenship.

PR is not a prerequisite for citizenship if one is married to a Thai. It doesn't matter whether if you are male or female, however, being female is "easier" as work/income requirements are waived.

2 hours ago, John Drake said:

Perhaps the gran6ting of citizenship over the past 10 to 15 years is something that should undergo a broader check than focusing merely on this group. I'll bet far more shenanigans are happening with Chinese getting Thai citizenship.

That's quite true, but the knives are out for the Israelis, not the Chinese nowadays.