A Jewish New Year celebration in Phuket was cancelled at short notice on Friday evening following security concerns raised by Israeli officials, according to the event’s organisers.
The cancellation came as approximately 500 people gathered around 500 metres from the Chabad House in Patong for a demonstration organised by a group calling itself “Save Phuket.”
Protesters displayed signs reading “Save Phuket No Israel”, while chants of “Free Palestine” were heard during the rally.
The group later posted a message concerning the planned celebration: “We are monitoring the situation surrounding the Jewish New Year event in the Patong area. These Jews are staying inside their mansions.”
More than 1,000 people had initially been expected to attend Rosh Hashanah celebrations at the Chabad House and a nearby hotel.
Following discussions with Phuket authorities about security arrangements, organisers reduced the gathering to approximately 700 guests at the Chabad House alone.
Phuket Deputy Governor Khetrat Chansilp had earlier cited organisers as saying that cancelling the celebration could damage the island’s reputation and result in financial losses.
However, heightened anti-Israel rhetoric in Thailand in recent days—including antisemitic messages reportedly heard at a Bangkok rally led by veteran protest figure Sondhi Limthongkul—prompted further concerns about the safety of those attending.
“Dear guests! Due to a request from Israeli security officials, we deeply regret that we are cancelling the event. Please do not approach the area,” the local Chabad House said in a message sent to people registered for the holiday dinner.
“The protesters could become violent, and it is dangerous.”
The Chabad House said other Rosh Hashanah prayers and festive meals scheduled from Saturday onwards were still expected to proceed as planned.
The developments in Phuket have attracted widespread attention from Israeli media.
The Jerusalem Post described the Save Phuket campaign by stating: “The organisers attempted to justify their actions, or rather whitewash their antisemitism, by describing the protest as ‘an important step in protecting the traditions and customs of the Thai people from disturbances by foreigners’.”
The Times of Israel also quoted Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, as saying he was deeply concerned by “rising antisemitic rhetoric in Thailand”.
“The State Department remains in close contact with Thai authorities to ensure that the Jewish community is protected during the holiday season,” he wrote on X.
