Thailand Revokes Citizenship of Chabad Leader Rabbi Joseph H. Kantor

Thailand has revoked the citizenship of Rabbi Joseph H. Kantor, leader of the local Jewish community and head of the Chabad network in the country, following an official decree signed Thursday by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

According to Thai authorities, the decision stems from allegations that Rabbi Kantor violated the national Citizenship Act. Officials stated that the U.S.-born rabbi utilized his American passport for entry and exit into Australia on 16 separate occasions, most recently in January.

The Ministry of Interior asserted that allowing the situation to persist could cause severe detriment to the public interest. Local media reported that the measure followed an extensive investigation conducted by the Ministry of Justice in Bangkok.

Kantor, who originally held American citizenship, was granted Thai nationality in 2013. He has long served as a prominent figure within the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and the broader Jewish community in Thailand, invoking statutory authority under the Citizenship Act.

Simultaneously, the Department of Special Investigation has been probing the Chabad preschool network over the past month. Investigators identified more than 60 corporate entities registered at a single address, featuring overlapping directors and shareholders.

Authorities have seized documents relating to land acquisitions, donations, taxation, and the operation of local commercial venues. Investigators specifically reviewed the purchase of land designated for a Jewish cemetery in Samut Prakan province, noting that the authorized corporate directors held Thai citizenship.