Thailand strips rabbi of citizenship after 16 trips on US passport
BANGKOK: Thailand’s government said Thursday it had revoked the citizenship of a prominent head rabbi who was a naturalised Thai, as the country tightens enforcement of its immigration laws.
Thailand's government has revoked the citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, a naturalized Thai resident, following his repeated use of a US passport after obtaining Thai citizenship in 2013. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as the interior minister, signed the order. Thai law prohibits naturalized citizens from retaining their previous nationality, though enforcement is not always consistent.
Tourism is a significant contributor to Thailand's economy, yet foreigners' actions and businesses have been increasingly scrutinized.
Rabbi Kantor entered Thailand in 1993 and continued using his US passport up to 16 times for travel to Australia. The Interior Ministry cited this behavior as the reason for revoking his citizenship under the 1965 Nationality Act. This move came after Thai authorities raided three Jewish organizations in Bangkok, including Chabad House, where Kantor is involved.
The Chabad Foundation was found to employ three Myanmar workers without proper work permits. Police also seized documents related to land purchases and building construction from Gan Chabad, a Jewish school. Rabbi Kantor, who has lived in Thailand for over 30 years, maintains that Thailand is his home, and he holds both Thai and US citizenship.
The Chabad House organization employs approximately 40 workers and has paid fines for the three Myanmar workers whose documents were pending processing. While the rabbi acknowledges the tension, he emphasizes that Thailand welcomes Jewish people and does not feel under threat. Kantor, currently in New York, could not be reached for comment.
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