Sondhi leads protest outside Israeli embassy in Bangkok

Sondhi Limthongkul led supporters to the Israeli embassy in Bangkok on Thursday (September 10), demanding a crackdown on alleged foreign nominee businesses and action over foreign property ownership in Thailand.

His “Take Thailand Back” movement set out four demands addressing the conduct of Israeli nationals, cooperation with Thai authorities, scrutiny of land holdings and Chabad centres, and compliance with international humanitarian law.

The former People’s Alliance for Democracy leader also rejected an offer of a private meeting with Israel’s ambassador, according to his account to demonstrators. He argued that the campaign was being conducted on behalf of the Thai public and should not be reduced to a private discussion.

The gathering took place outside Ocean Tower II on Sukhumvit 21, where the Israeli embassy is located. Organisers described the campaign as an effort to protect Thai sovereignty, national interests and businesses operating in the country.

Protesters carried banners reading “Thailand welcomes tourists, not war criminals”, “No pad Thai for war criminals”, “Boycott Israel” and “Stop Genocide”.

Four demands for Israeli authorities

Addressing supporters, Sondhi said the embassy had informed organisers that no officials were on duty that day, but that the ambassador was willing to meet him privately on another occasion.

He then read an open letter in Thai and English, calling on the embassy and Israeli government to take concrete action rather than merely receive the petition as a diplomatic formality.

The group asked Israeli authorities to:

1. Take immediate steps to regulate the conduct of Israeli nationals. Require all Israeli tourists travelling to Thailand to receive briefings and instructions to respect Thai law, culture and local communities strictly.
2. Cooperate with Thai authorities and refrain from shielding offenders. Work fully with Thai police and other agencies in taking decisive legal action against Israeli nationals who commit crimes or cause disruption, without using diplomatic privileges to interfere.
3. Cooperate transparently with scrutiny of land and organisations. Support examinations of land ownership in Chachoengsao and the operations of Chabad centres and all related organisations under Thai law.
4. Convey the protesters’ dissatisfaction to the Israeli government. Forward the message to Israel’s Foreign Ministry and government, calling for an end to what the statement described as brutal actions against civilians, hospitals and schools, and for immediate compliance with international humanitarian law.

Allegations over land and Chabad centres

The letter alleged that misconduct by some Israeli tourists and nationals, including breaches of Thai law, disrespect for local customs and fraud, had repeatedly caused problems for local communities. It claimed residents in several areas had lost patience and wanted stricter enforcement.

“Our generosity is not weakness. Welcoming foreign tourists does not mean consenting to mistreatment,” the statement said.

The group also raised allegations concerning the expansion of Chabad centres and land purchases for a cemetery in Chachoengsao. It portrayed these activities as an attempt to establish a territorial presence in Thailand and alleged that granting Thai nationality to Israelis had facilitated the arrival of foreign investment groups.

The statement questioned whether some Chabad premises served as religious sites or gathering places. It went further by alleging a strategy to take over Thailand, which it suggested could take 10–20 years.

It also claimed that money brought into Thailand by Israeli tourists was spent in Israeli-owned businesses, challenging the argument that such spending broadly benefited the local economy.

The statement maintained that no nationality should be above Thai law, no religion or organisation should be beyond scrutiny, and no diplomatic relationship should protect lawbreakers. It opposed privileges that would allow any group to establish what it described as a parallel power structure in Thailand.

Police monitor gathering as campaign looks beyond Bangkok

Other organisers included Panthep Puapongpan, chairman of the Thailand Watch Foundation, Nitithorn Lamlue and Pichit Chaimongkol, a leader of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand. Members of their networks also attended.

Supporters had gathered outside the building by 9am. Sondhi arrived at 9.05am wearing a white crew-neck T-shirt bearing the slogan “Take Our Thailand Back”.

Officers from Thong Lor Police Station and Metropolitan Police Division 5 provided security, while explosive ordnance disposal personnel checked for hazardous objects. The gathering remained orderly, with no clashes or other serious incidents reported at that stage.

Speaking to reporters, Sondhi said he had no concerns about pursuing the campaign. He warned that the government would face continued pressure if it failed to address the issues and continued favouring business interests.

He plans to submit another petition concerning alleged illicit Chinese business networks, which he referred to as “grey Chinese” businesses.

Further rallies are planned in several provinces, including Chonburi, Chanthaburi and Khon Kaen.