Die in your own country - Thailand's prime minister addresses Jews

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that foreigners wishing to establish their own cemeteries in the kingdom should "go die at home." The statement came amid the relocation of four graves from a Jewish cemetery near Bangkok and inspections of Chabad houses on Phuket.

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul made a sharp statement, saying that foreigners wishing to establish their own cemeteries in the kingdom should "go die at home." The statement was made on Thursday, September 17, during a speech at the Ministry of Interior in Bangkok. The trigger was the relocation of four graves from a Jewish cemetery in Chachoengsao province near Bangkok after local authorities demanded the site be vacated. The cemetery was purchased about five years ago by the Jewish community and the Chabad movement, but authorities refused to extend the burial permit. Simultaneously, the governor of Phuket ordered an inspection of the local Chabad house, where a Rosh Hashanah festive dinner planned for approximately two thousand Israelis was canceled at the last moment. Charnvirakul instructed governors to act more strictly against foreigners violating laws, working without permits, or using Thai citizens as nominee business owners. Special attention was directed to Phuket and Surat Thani. The prime minister emphasized that his orders are not officially directed exclusively against Israelis or Jews.