Sondhi plans Israeli embassy protest over nominee claims

Sondhi Limthongkul plans to submit a protest letter to the Israeli embassy in Bangkok as an early step in a new political campaign challenging the government’s handling of alleged illegal foreign businesses and the use of Thai nominees.

The former leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced the “Take Our Thailand Back” campaign alongside fellow movement leaders at Baan Phra Athit on Monday (September 7, 2026).

He alleged that some Israeli business operators were among foreigners using Thai nominees to conduct illegal or “grey” businesses. Sondhi cited these allegations and what he described as growing discontent among local people as reasons for launching the campaign.

No street march accompanied Monday’s announcement. Sondhi said the press conference was intended to explain the movement’s direction and purpose, and to invite the public to demand rights, fairness and equal enforcement of the law. Manager and SondhiX websites reported that Sondhi planned to submit the protest letter to the embasssy at 9.30 am on Thursday (September 10).

Government challenged over law enforcement

Sondhi argued that weak law enforcement had allowed problems involving foreign business groups, nominee arrangements and the ownership of land and other assets to persist. He accused the government of neglecting its responsibility to protect the interests of Thailand and its people.

His criticism extended to business groups and foreign nationals of several nationalities, rather than Israeli operators alone. He also questioned what he described as preferential treatment for large corporate groups, accelerated approvals for data centre projects and delays in compensation and recovery payments for flood victims in Hat Yai.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had earlier rejected the premise of the campaign, saying: “Thailand belongs to all Thai people, so there is no need to take it back.”

Sondhi countered that the remark did not reflect the problems facing the country. He questioned whether the authorities were adequately confronting “grey” business networks and enforcing the law equally.

Questions over planned Phuket gathering

A separate dispute in Phuket concerns plans for a large gathering at Chabad Patong to mark Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The proposed event has drawn local objections and questions about whether permission has been obtained.

The announced plans cover September 11–13 at the centre on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road in Patong, Kathu district, with event hours listed as 4pm to midnight. Organisers reportedly expect around 2,000 Israeli participants from around the world.

Participants have been invited to make donations and join religious observances, including Tashlich, a ritual symbolising the casting away of sins. Rosh Hashanah runs from sunset on September 11 until nightfall on September 13 this year, overlapping with the Jewish Sabbath.

Some Phuket residents have opposed the gathering, citing what they described as widespread inappropriate behaviour by Israeli visitors, including alleged breaches of Thai law and disregard for local customs. They have also questioned whether the organisers have secured permission from the relevant authorities.

Organisers maintained that they had already sought permission from the responsible local agencies. However, when asked about the reports, Phuket’s governor said he would check the matter. The permission status remained unclear.

Yellow Shirt mobilisation and the 2006 coup

Sondhi began organising anti-Thaksin protests in late 2005 before co-founding and leading the PAD, which was formally established in February 2006. Its supporters became widely known as the “Yellow Shirts” because they adopted the royal colour to demonstrate loyalty to the monarchy.

The demonstrations of 2005–2006 mobilised large crowds against then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Protest leaders accused his government of corruption, conflicts of interest and hostility towards the monarchy. The mobilisation contributed to the political deadlock that preceded the September 2006 military coup that ousted Thaksin.

Government House and airport occupations

After Thaksin’s political allies won the late-2007 election, Sondhi rallied the PAD back onto the streets in 2008. The campaign escalated from the occupation of Government House to the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports later that year.

The airport occupations halted flights, stranded travellers and caused severe disruption to tourism and the economy. They ended after the Constitutional Court dissolved the governing People Power Party and removed then-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat from office, setting the stage for a change of government.