Thai authorities inspect Chabad House in Chiang Mai, find no violations

Thai authorities conducted a multi-agency inspection of the Chabad House in Chiang Mai on Wednesday, led by Deputy Provincial Governor Boonlue Thammatharanurak, and found no legal violations. The inspection involved provincial administration, military, immigration police, and other agencies. Officials examined the property's lease and operating licenses. The visit was described as routine and not prompted by any complaint. The inspection follows broader raids on Jewish institutions in Bangkok on October 8.

Thai law enforcement authorities conducted a multi-agency inspection of the Chabad House on Chang Khlan Road in Chiang Mai on Wednesday, led by Deputy Provincial Governor Boonlue Thammatharanurak, and found no legal violations or irregularities at the Jewish community center. At a press conference after the inspection, the deputy governor said Thai law does not clearly regulate premises that also serve as Jewish places of worship. He noted that gatherings primarily take place on Fridays and Saturdays, attracting approximately 100 to 200 participants, mostly Israelis attending communal meals, and recommended that the center maintain a "low-key" approach to its activities. The inspection involved representatives from the provincial administration, military, immigration police, provincial cultural authorities, Chiang Mai Municipality, and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC). Authorities reported finding no violations, with the deputy governor describing the visit as a "routine inspection" that had not been prompted by any complaint. Officials examined the legality of the property's lease and operating licenses. According to local media reports, Chabad rents restaurant premises from a local resident under a lease valid until 2028 and holds a food service license covering up to 200 square meters, as well as an alcohol license issued by the Excise Department. The Chiang Mai inspection differed significantly from the raids carried out in Bangkok on October 8, when Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) conducted searches under judicial warrants, with the involvement of the justice minister and several government agencies. During searches at the Chabad Foundation, the Jewish Association of Thailand, and related offices, investigators seized documents, identified foreign workers from Myanmar and Laos without valid work permits, and found dozens of companies registered at the same address. Unlike the Bangkok raids, the Chiang Mai inspection was presented by authorities as a routine enforcement visit, with no reports of search warrants or seized materials. The Chabad House in Chiang Mai has operated since 2004 and has undergone inspections over the years. However, a coordinated inspection involving so many enforcement agencies had never previously taken place at the center in more than two decades of operation. The inspection comes amid a broader wave of enforcement operations involving Chabad institutions across Thailand, including Phuket, Bangkok, and other locations. The operations, expanded partly under instructions from Thailand's deputy interior minister, are linked to investigations into business and property networks associated with Israeli nationals. Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Dr. Alona Fisher-Kamm visited the provincial government building and met with the deputy governor approximately one month ago. She also visited the Chiang Mai Chabad House separately during the same period. Thai authorities said they would continue monitoring the premises but emphasized that there were currently "no irregularities." Journalists were not permitted to enter the building during the inspection. According to reporters at the scene, Chabad security personnel prevented them from entering. Rabbi Yossi Pikel and his wife, Chani, have served as Chabad emissaries in Chiang Mai for 17 years. Speaking to Walla, Rabbi Pikel said the inspection had been coordinated in advance. He explained that inspections take place periodically but acknowledged that a joint visit involving so many agencies was unusual. "I'm glad they came to inspect, and I'm glad they saw that everything was in order," Pikel said. "We operate by the book and try to do everything properly." The rabbi also emphasized his efforts to build positive relations with the local Thai community, noting that the restaurant is open to Thai residents as well as Jewish and Israeli visitors.