Interior Ministry Probes Israelis’ Thai Citizenship Cases
BANGKOK, Thailand – The Interior Ministry has confirmed that Israeli nationals, including individuals described as business executives and religious leaders, were granted Thai citizenship more than 10 years ago and is now conducting a retrospective investigation into whether the citizenship process was legally sound.
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Deputy Interior Minister Pholphir Suwanchawee stated on August 9 that officials had found more than one such case, though names and further details cannot yet be released because inquiries are still underway. The review follows claims on a popular social-media page alleging that a network of Israeli individuals had obtained Thai nationality and identity cards.
According to the deputy minister, the initial check established that the individuals in question do genuinely hold Thai citizenship, acquired more than a decade earlier. At the time their applications were considered, officials presumably had documents and evidence that led them to conclude the applicants qualified for citizenship. However, the ministry must now examine whether every part of the process complied with the law.
“Whatever nationality they hold, if they do anything illegal, they will ultimately face legal action,” Pholphir said. The investigation has also expanded to include financial probes into more than 100 Phuket companies linked to nominee networks, with combined revenue estimated at over 5 billion baht.
The deputy minister also addressed reports that those granted citizenship were directors of Chabad, a Jewish religious organisation. He clarified that they were not Chabad directors but directors of a company that owns premises where a Chabad facility is located. The company had been registered with nominee characteristics, he said, prompting the investigation into both potentially illegal business operations and financial flows.
Authorities are examining the origins of capital, financial transactions, and business structures, with provincial officials re-checking applications for Thai citizenship and the documents submitted . The investigation follows an inspection at the Chabad centre in Patong on July 25, during which a verbal confrontation occurred between the deputy minister and Israeli nationals.
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No names have been published and no findings of wrongdoing have been announced. The ministry says its review and investigation must be completed before further details can be disclosed.
-Thailand News (TN)
