Gan Chabad and Rabbi Yosef face scrutiny as authorities trace business links

Thai authorities are expanding their scrutiny of Gan Chabad Co., Ltd. and companies linked to its directors following an investigation into a Jewish cemetery in Chachoengsao, as officials examine land ownership, business structures and possible nominee arrangements.

The investigation comes amid heightened public attention surrounding activities involving some Israeli and Jewish communities in Thailand, including disputes over the cemetery in Bang Khla district and opposition to a planned Jewish New Year event at Chabad Patong in Phuket.

Activist Sondhi Limthongkul and the Reclaim Thailand group have also staged a demonstration outside the Israeli Embassy, calling for tighter oversight of Israeli nationals accused of failing to respect Thai laws and local customs.

Authorities have stressed, however, that investigations should focus on individual conduct and compliance with Thai law rather than nationality or religion.

Cemetery investigation leads to Gan Chabad

One of the main areas under scrutiny is a Jewish cemetery in Samet Tai subdistrict of Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao.

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee visited the site on September 11 as authorities widened their examination of its legal status and links to companies operating in Thailand.

Officials found that the cemetery was connected to Gan Chabad Co., Ltd., which had acquired the land.

The cemetery was properly licensed when it was established around four to five years ago. The licence was subsequently not renewed, but further burials allegedly continued after it expired, creating a potential legal violation.

Current reporting confirms that Gan Chabad was the applicant connected with the cemetery and that officials are investigating burials carried out after the licence lapsed.

Gan Chabad registered with 30 million baht capital

Gan Chabad Co., Ltd. was registered in 2008 with capital of 30 million baht.

Its declared business objectives include providing cemetery and public crematorium services, as well as purchasing, leasing and managing property.

Public company information confirms the English name Gan Chabad Co., Ltd., its registration in March 2008 and registered capital of 30 million baht.

The company’s founders and directors were Jewish or Israeli-born individuals who later obtained Thai citizenship.

It also claimed that people connected with Gan Chabad had links to at least 25 other companies operating in Thailand, with combined turnover exceeding 4 billion baht.

Gan Chabad itself acquired the land used for the Bang Khla cemetery, while companies described as part of the wider business network operate in several sectors.

Among them is The Kosher Place (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a restaurant business serving kosher food, as well as tourism-related companies catering to Jewish and Israeli visitors.

Some businesses also serve people travelling to Thailand for rehabilitation and recuperation after illness or experiences related to conflict.

Authorities examining possible links to as many as 40 firms

A senior Interior Ministry source was cited as saying that the Gan Chabad-related network could extend to as many as 40 companies operating in Thailand.

The Interior Ministry is coordinating with the Commerce Ministry, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Anti-Money Laundering Office to examine whether linked companies were lawfully established or whether any used Thai nominees on behalf of foreign investors.

Authorities are expanding the inquiry through the names of company directors and their links with other businesses.

Officials have said that Gan Chabad’s three authorised directors hold Thai citizenship. The company is therefore registered as a Thai legal entity, while any question of nominee arrangements is being examined separately in relation to other companies and transactions.

Polapee has previously said that three shareholders linked to the cemetery were Israeli-born individuals who had obtained Thai citizenship and were legally able to own land.

Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor draws attention

One of the figures receiving particular attention is Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, a founder of Gan Chabad and a leading Chabad rabbi in Thailand.

Kantor has lived in Thailand since 1993, or for more than three decades, and later obtained Thai citizenship along with members of his family.

His name is rendered in English by Jewish organisations and documents as Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, or Rabbi Yosef C. Kantor. He has long been associated with the Jewish Community of Thailand and Chabad activities in the country.

His wife and children are Jewish and that members of the family obtained Thai nationality on the basis of their long residence and contributions in Thailand rather than through marriage to a Thai citizen.

One of Kantor’s sons is also said to serve as a director of Gan Chabad.

Questions raised over naturalisation process

Nation TV’s Khao Khon Khon Khao programme examined the issue of Kantor’s naturalisation and noted that applications for Thai citizenship by naturalisation are governed by the Nationality Act BE 2508 (1965).

The report said normal criteria include being of legal age and good conduct, having an occupation and qualifying income, maintaining a record of tax payments, holding permanent-resident status and being registered as resident in Thailand for the required period.

It cited an income benchmark of at least 80,000 baht a month and tax records covering at least three years, together with permanent residence and registration in a Thai house register for at least five consecutive years.

The requirements can differ in certain circumstances, including applications involving spouses of Thai nationals, people considered to have rendered exceptional benefits to Thailand and some categories of investors, the report added.

The issue now being examined is the basis on which Kantor and members of his family obtained Thai nationality and the process through which their applications were approved.

Naturalisation applications are subject to consideration under procedures prescribed by law rather than being granted automatically.

The wider investigation remains focused on whether companies and property transactions connected with the business network complied with Thai law. No finding of wrongdoing against Kantor or the broader Gan Chabad network has been established merely by the existence of the investigation.

Source: NationTV