About 200 Thai Shia Muslims gathered outside the Iranian embassy in Bangkok on Sunday to mourn Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, condemn Israel and the United States, and call on the Thai government to remain neutral in international conflicts.
The group, made up of men, women, children and elderly participants, assembled peacefully in the late morning to pay their respects to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whom they described as a spiritual father figure. Khamenei was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Security was maintained by at least 30 police officers from Thong Lor police station, the 191 Patrol and Special Operations Division, and the Special Branch, who monitored the gathering and directed traffic in the area.
Ali Shah-Hosseini, 40, a representative of the group, said the gathering was intended to honour a leader widely revered among Shia Muslims worldwide. H
e noted that Thailand is home to an estimated 40,000–45,000 Shia Muslims and said participants wanted to show that many in the country also held Khamenei in high regard and felt deep sorrow over his passing.
He said the group also wanted to demonstrate solidarity with the Iranian government and its people by holding a peaceful assembly at the Iranian embassy rather than staging protests at the US or Israeli embassies, in line with the Thai government’s request to maintain public order.
“This loss has not diminished our morale, because everyone stands ready to make sacrifices for our ideals,” Mr Ali told PPTV news channel.
“We call on the United Nations, as well as all those with a humanitarian conscience, to recognise that this act violates international law,” he said, referring to the US-Israeli missile strikes on Tehran on Feb 28 that killed the 86-year-old and 40 other senior Iranian leaders.
Mr Ali also criticised the US government for what he described as a lack of sincerity in resolving global conflicts, and for acting selectively in pursuit of its own interests.
Participants also delivered a message to caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and security agencies, urging the Thai government to remain neutral, avoid taking sides in the Middle East conflict, and ensure equal protection for all communities.
The group said it trusted the prime minister’s judgement in managing the sensitive situation.
The gathering concluded with sombre songs and eulogies. Some attendees were seen weeping as chants condemned Israel and the United States and called for the liberation of Palestine.
Before dispersing, representatives laid flowers inside the embassy grounds and handed a letter outlining their position to Iran’s ambassador to Thailand, Nassereddin Heidari.
Mr Ali said that if the conflict continues, Shia mosque leaders in Thailand would consult one another and announce further steps through social media channels.
