Thai authorities raided Chabad House: "To maintain a 'quiet' character"

Thai law enforcement, led by the Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai Province, conducted a joint inspection of the Chabad House in the city. The inspection, which included representatives from the military, police, and other bodies, did not uncover any offenses or irregularities. The Deputy Governor recommended maintaining a 'quiet' character for religious activities. The incident occurs against the backdrop of a broader wave of raids on Chabad institutions in Thailand.

Thai law enforcement conducted a joint inspection yesterday (Wednesday, October 14, 2026) at the Chabad House on Chang Klan Road in Chiang Mai, led by Deputy Governor Boonlue Thammatararunrak. The inspection involved representatives from the provincial administration, the military, immigration police, the provincial Ministry of Culture, Chiang Mai Municipality, and the Internal Security Operations Command. At the conclusion of the inspection, authorities acknowledged that no offenses or irregularities were found. The Deputy Governor described the visit as a "routine check" not stemming from a complaint, but recommended "maintaining a 'quiet' character of the activity." The inspection in Chiang Mai differs in nature from the raids conducted on October 8 in Bangkok, where documents were seized and foreign workers without permits were found. The Chabad House in Chiang Mai has been operating since 2004, and Rabbi Yossi Fikel, the local Chabad emissary, said the inspection was coordinated in advance and that he was glad they saw everything was in order. The incident occurs against the backdrop of a broader wave of inspections on Chabad institutions in Thailand, linked to an investigation into business networks identified with Israelis.