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Sondhi rallies at Israeli Embassy over property fears

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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.

IMG_2536.png

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.

IMG_2569.png

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.

IMG_2571.jpeg

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath


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10 September 2026


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  • I would not call that xenophobia, I would call it antisemitism. Xenophobia tends to be against all things foreign, but this is clearly directed at Jews. As usual, I find it strange "Jews" are ta

  • Jack from Phayao
    Jack from Phayao

    I doubt if it is anti-semitism, Thai hardly know what jews are. Fact is many Israely citizend have behaved badly in recent years, you don't read these stories of bad behaviour of Dutch or Swedes.

  • "One can be Jewish, but not from Israel" I'm pretty sure that would be news to the average Thai and that, for them, Jew/Israeli are interchangeable terms for a single, exclusive foreign group, who co

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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.

Too bad I was actually a fan of CJ's coffee,

I'll just hit up the next 7/11 from now on.

Some more photos from the demonstration :

Outside the Israeli Embassy calling for *Jews out*

6222419.jpg

HR01cTraYAAvQ6B.webp

6 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Some more photos from the demonstration :

Outside the Israeli Embassy calling for *Jews out*

6222419.jpg

HR01cTraYAAvQ6B.webp

That should be broadcast internationally.

Thai xenophobic hysteria has jumped the shark.

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That should be broadcast internationally.

Thai xenophobic hysteria has jumped the shark.

Or the Thai Government need to clamp down on the small group of Thai Anti semites , there's probably just a few hundred of them and it would be unfair for Thailand to be labelled as Anti Semeitc because of a few 100 peoples actions

13 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Or the Thai Government need to clamp down on the small group of Thai Anti semites , there's probably just a few hundred of them and it would be unfair for Thailand to be labelled as Anti Semeitc because of a few 100 peoples actions

A good point.

The Israeli embassy should be giving THEM a letter.

Why should the Israeli embassy accept being singled out and scapegoated in this way?

OK I understand Mr Sondhi, but in fact there is also a role for the Thai authorities. If tourists come to the country they can't open businesses, Israeli or not, but how can they do it than? Are there no local people involved, as for business you need 51% Thai ownership and 49 foreign for example..

The same for tourist visa.. There should be enforcement of laws, for ALL foreigners and Thais, but by the corruption and lack of enforcement people do as they like...

Now it are the Israeli people, and because they pretend that they can behave badly there are problems, and signs as Jews get out are in fact not done... There is a connection with the WOII and that is still sensitive, but I understand the reactions. However as said it should not be 1 group but many others are misbehaving, have illegal businesses or are abusing tourist visa, and the Government is the institution that should stop it, and push for enforcements. But corruption and greed is surely a big part of the problem too

  • Popular Post
2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Thai xenophobic hysteria

I would not call that xenophobia, I would call it antisemitism.

Xenophobia tends to be against all things foreign, but this is clearly directed at Jews.

As usual, I find it strange "Jews" are targeted, and not "Israelis." One can be Jewish, but not from Israel.

  • Popular Post

I doubt if it is anti-semitism, Thai hardly know what jews are. Fact is many Israely citizend have behaved badly in recent years, you don't read these stories of bad behaviour of Dutch or Swedes.

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

OK I understand Mr Sondhi, but in fact there is also a role for the Thai authorities. If tourists come to the country they can't open businesses, Israeli or not, but how can they do it than? Are there no local people involved, as for business you need 51% Thai ownership and 49 foreign for example..

The same for tourist visa.. There should be enforcement of laws, for ALL foreigners and Thais, but by the corruption and lack of enforcement people do as they like...

Now it are the Israeli people, and because they pretend that they can behave badly there are problems, and signs as Jews get out are in fact not done... There is a connection with the WOII and that is still sensitive, but I understand the reactions. However as said it should not be 1 group but many others are misbehaving, have illegal businesses or are abusing tourist visa, and the Government is the institution that should stop it, and push for enforcements. But corruption and greed is surely a big part of the problem too

It's not just about the businesses. It's the lack of respect. People have been talking about it for decades. Obviously nothing has changed.

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, Jack from Phayao said:

I doubt if it is anti-semitism, Thai hardly know what jews are. Fact is many Israely citizend have behaved badly in recent years, you don't read these stories of bad behaviour of Dutch or Swedes.

Are you saying that you only ever hear abour bad behaviour from Israelis and no one else ?

Never hear about British , Americans, Indians ,Chinese behaving badly ?

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

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.

As a guest in this wonderful Country I can not see anything in their four demands that I do not agree with, let's hope this group goes from strength to strength.

Post breaking forum rules removed @Jingthing rule 18. Social media content is acceptable in most forums. However, in factual areas such as, but not limited to news, current affairs and health topics, social media cannot be used unless it is from a credible news media source or a government agency and must include a link to the original source

  • Popular Post
5 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I would not call that xenophobia, I would call it antisemitism.

Xenophobia tends to be against all things foreign, but this is clearly directed at Jews.

As usual, I find it strange "Jews" are targeted, and not "Israelis." One can be Jewish, but not from Israel.

"One can be Jewish, but not from Israel"

I'm pretty sure that would be news to the average Thai and that, for them, Jew/Israeli are interchangeable terms for a single, exclusive foreign group, who come from one place, somewhere across the big water.

A particular foreign group that has made itself more obnoxious than any other of the foreign groups, in multiple ways, and has consequently attracted the most ire from Thais.

That group managed to do it all on its own, to a population that had no previous knowledge of it, its origins, history, religion and culture, or of the fundamentally European tradition, taken around the world by European colonists, of "antisemitism".

Well done Israelis......well ******* done.

9 minutes ago, Enoon said:

"One can be Jewish, but not from Israel"

I'm pretty sure that would be news to the average Thai and that, for them, Jew/Israeli are interchangeable terms for a single, exclusive foreign group, who come from one place, somewhere across the big water.

A particular foreign group that has made itself more obnoxious than any other of the foreign groups, in multiple ways, and has consequently attracted the most ire from Thais.

That group managed to do it all on its own, to a population that had no previous knowledge of it, its origins, history, religion and culture, or of the fundamentally European tradition, taken around the world by European colonists, of "antisemitism".

Well done Israelis......well ******* done.

Its just a few 100 vociferous Muslim Thais who are causing all the fuss , the Thai Muslims are bringing the Middle East conflict to Thailand .

Haven't you noticed there's usually some kind of unrest or disturbance when Muslims start shouting and demanding things ?

10 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

At about 10.15am, Sondhi told the crowd that the Israeli Embassy had said no staff were working that day,

I expect all the staff have gone to the Chabad for Rosh Hassanah

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Are you saying that you only ever hear abour bad behaviour from Israelis and no one else ?

Never hear about British , Americans, Indians ,Chinese behaving badly ?

add Russians, Iranians, and everyone's favorite Nigerians to the list as well.

7 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I would not call that xenophobia, I would call it antisemitism.

Xenophobia tends to be against all things foreign, but this is clearly directed at Jews.

As usual, I find it strange "Jews" are targeted, and not "Israelis." One can be Jewish, but not from Israel.

It can be both.

Jews used as a canary in the coal mine.

The political winds in Thailand are obviously anti-foreigner in general.

It's convenient that many foreigners happen to be racist Jew haters and are cheerleading scapegoating Jews when the overall political wave is about them as well.

Edited by Jingthing

59 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

I expect all the staff have gone to the Chabad for Rosh Hassanah

So are you saying that the Isreal Embassy only employs Jews, wouldn't that be discrimination against the approx. 25% of Israelis who aren't Jewish?

Why is it that when anything comes up about Isreal it immediately becomes about being "Anti-Jewish/Anti-Semitic", but when It's Pakistan it never becomes about being "Anti-Muslim" even though there is a >97% chance of them being Muslim.

Edited by SamSpade

3 hours ago, Jeff the Chef said:

As a guest in this wonderful Country I can not see anything in their four demands that I do not agree with, let's hope this group goes from strength to strength.

You're not a guest. You're a customer.

Anyway it's so surprising that you of all people are actively cheerleading singling out and SCAPREGOATING Jews.

All the other foreigners in Thailand are saintly darlngs.

Who knew?

1 minute ago, SamSpade said:

I expect all the staff have gone to the Chabad for Rosh Hassanah

So are you saying that the Isreal Embassy only employs Jews, wouldn't that be discrimination against the approx. 25% of Israelis who aren't Jews?

Why is it that when something comes up which is "Israelis Behaving Badly" it immediately becomes about being "Anti-Jewish/Anti-Semitic", but when It's "Pakistanis Behaving Badly" it doesn’t become about being "Anti-Muslim" even though there is a >97% chance of them being Muslim.

Edited Just now1 min by SamSpade

Are your eyes working? Did you see the SIGNS?

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Are your eyes working? Did you see the SIGNS?

Clearly your eyes are working better than mine if you can identify a Thai just from their forearms...

My point still stands, everytime Israel is mentioned in a negative light the 1st thing that comes out is the "Anti-Jewish" rhetoric, even though there's only a 75% chance of them being Jewish.

The one about the family being denied a tour guide because they were living in Israel really made me laugh, they could have been any nationality, any religion who just happened to be living in Israel & they would have been rejected because that tour group didn't take tourists from Israel - Yet one of the 1st comments was about them being "Anti-Jewish" with zero facts that the family were Jewish or even Israelis for that matter.... but they must be Anti-Semitic because the family lived in Israel yes?

Edited by SamSpade

31 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

Clearly your eyes are working better than mine if you can identify a Thai just from their forearms...

My point still stands, everytime Isreal is mentioned in a negative light the 1st thing that comes out is the "Anti-Jewish" rhetoric, even though there's only a 75% chance of them being Jewish.

The one about the family being denied a tour guide because they were living in Isreal really made me laugh, they could have been any nationality, any religion who just happened to be living in Isreal & they would have been rejected because that tour group didn't take tourists from Isreal - Yet one of the 1st comments was about them being "Anti-Jewish" with zero facts that the family were Jewish or even Israelis for that matter.... but they must be Anti-Semitic because the family lived in Israel yes?

The Jews out sign does indeed bring me to the conclusion that it was an Anti semitic demonstration .

They do seem to be anti Jewish , rather than just anti Israel

HR01cTraYAAvQ6B.webp

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

The Jews out sign does indeed bring me to the conclusion that it was an Anti semitic demonstration .

They do seem to be anti Jewish , rather than just anti Israel

HR01cTraYAAvQ6B.webp

Yeah an own goal on their part if they were trying to cover that up by just scapegoating Israelis.

I reckon a major factor in this rather bizarre flare up of Thais singling out Israelis when there are misbehaving foreigners of all nationalities is coming from the Muslim part of the Thai population.

Edited by Jingthing

11 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

The Jews out sign does indeed bring me to the conclusion that it was an Anti semitic demonstration .

They do seem to be anti Jewish , rather than just anti Israel

HR01cTraYAAvQ6B.webp

I agree that the "Jews Out" signs are Unwarranted/Disgusting and shows an ignorance of the difference between somebody who's from Israel & somebody who's Jewish.

But I don't believe it's Anti Semitic because I believe that if an an American (Pick any country apart from Israel) Jew were to ask them if they wanted them out, they would say no this is purely about people from Israel who (Social Media has massively amplified this) are "Behaving Badly" and again show's pure ignorance from the Idiots holding those signs.

Judaism should never have been brought into it.

Edited by SamSpade

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

You're not a guest. You're a customer.

Anyway it's so surprising that you of all people are actively cheerleading singling out and SCAPREGOATING Jews.

All the other foreigners in Thailand are saintly darlngs.

Who knew?

Guest/customer, same same.

There is no mention of Jews in my post or in the four demands that the protesters made, are you advocating antisemitic behavior or just trying to stir up trouble?

There have been good and bad foreigners visiting Thailand for decades, most visitors never have a problem, but lately it appears Israeli's have come to the Kingdom and upset the local population with their conduct, hardly a surprising when you see what's going on in their own State.

1 hour ago, SamSpade said:

So are you saying that the Isreal Embassy only employs Jews, wouldn't that be discrimination against the approx. 25% of Israelis who aren't Jewish?

Embassy's close for public holidays from their own Country , all staff get a holiday .

Thai's celebrate the Christian, Chinese and Thai New year , they wouldn't need any encouragement to add another holiday to that list .

The Israeli Embassy would close for all staff , just like every other Embassy in the World

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Yeah an own goal on their part if they were trying to cover that up by just scapegoating Israelis.

I reckon a major factor in this rather bizarre flare up of Thais singling out Israelis when there are misbehaving foreigners of all nationalities is coming from the Muslim part of the Thai population.

Did you read the OP? How many muslim amongst the prominent protesters?

6 hours ago, Jeff the Chef said:

As a guest in this wonderful Country I can not see anything in their four demands that I do not agree with

Do you agree with the "Jews Out" signs?

Those are a very bad, uhhh, sign. That slogan was used by Nazis during street demonstrations in the 1930s and has been used in recent times by neo-Nazi and hardcore antisemitic groups in several countries.

"Jews Out" goes way beyond "No Israeli tourists" signs in a few Thai businesses. Isaan farmers and Bangkok factory workers may not understand the difference between Jews and Israelis, but Sondhi and the other demonstration organizers sure do.

I have never before seen a photo of a "Jews Out" sign in Thailand. Antisemitic agitation is being taken to a whole new level. Jews, not just Israelis, are now the target and the protesters want them excluded from Thailand purely on the basis of their religion.

Keep in mind about 200-300 Thai subjects are Jewish, most of whom were born Thai. They are descendants of Russian and German Jews who moved to Thailand between 1890 and 1940. I wonder if the "Jews Out" slogan is aimed at them, too? I wish a journalist would ask Sondhi about that.

14 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Your support for the crimes against humanity committed by Israel is noted.

I don't support crimes against humanity committed by any country or non-state group. I simply don't believe Israel is committing crimes against humanity.

14 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No I am not claiming there has never been antisemitic posts on this board, I’ve frequently challenged and in extreme cases reported such comments.

Nobody here is justifying hatred of Jews.

I have noticed the board's most flagrant antisemites seem to have gone missing recently. If they no longer post, then yes, indeed, it could be true nobody on AN is justifying hatred of Jews.

Edited by Evil Penevil

The real question is, who's financing all that commotion? from docile people, Thais all of a sudden become very Anti-Semite, and vocal about some group of people? ''get out jews''? do they even know what their signs are saying? ask anyone of them who are the palestinian people or where Gaza is, and you'll get pair of lamb eyes looking back at you.

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