Thailand Revokes the Citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, Head of Chabad in the Country, Over Use of His U.S. Passport

Thailand has revoked the citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, who heads the Chabad-Lubavitch network in the country and has served Bangkok’s Jewish community for more than three decades. The order was signed on Wednesday, Oct. 28, by Anutin Charnvirakul, who serves as both prime minister and interior minister, according to the Interior Ministry notice as reported by The Nation and Khaosod English.

The Haredi news site Kikar HaShabbat reported the decision in a Hebrew-language Instagram post on Thursday, writing that the order was issued “after the rabbi continued to use his American passport even after he was naturalized in Thailand, contrary to local law.” The post said the step “comes against the background of raids conducted by enforcement authorities on Jewish institutions and organizations in Bangkok,” and quoted Chabad as saying that “Thailand is our home.” According to the post, Chabad expressed regret over the decision alongside respect for the country’s laws and confidence in the local legal system, and said Chabad Houses in Thailand continue to operate as usual while the matter is handled through legal channels.

What the order says

According to the ministry notice, Kantor became a Thai citizen by naturalization under Section 10 of the Nationality Act of 1965. The grant was published in the Royal Gazette on April 11, 2013, and he received his first Thai identity card on May 2, 2013.

The ministry cited information from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), part of the Justice Ministry, that Kantor entered and left Australia using his U.S. nationality on 16 occasions, most recently on Jan. 26, 2026. The order invokes Section 19(2) of the Nationality Act, which allows the minister to revoke a naturalized person’s citizenship when there is evidence that the person continued to use a former nationality. The ministry said Kantor knew those conditions when he applied, and that delaying action could cause serious harm to the public and the country, Khaosod English reported.

Speaking at Parliament on Thursday, Anutin said the decision complies with the law and referred questions about details and any further steps to the Department of Provincial Administration. Asked whether criminal proceedings would follow, he did not announce any charges, The Nation reported.

Separate inquiries

The citizenship order is separate from investigations into Chabad-linked businesses, property and finances. On Oct. 8, the DSI, the Anti-Money Laundering Office and other agencies carried out joint searches at three Bangkok locations, examining company control, land holdings, donations and financial transactions, including whether Thai shareholders were acting as nominees for foreign investors, according to The Nation. During those inspections, Kantor described the Chabad Foundation of Thailand’s purpose as religious activity and assistance for tourists. Thai authorities have said the inquiries concern individual conduct and legal compliance, not religion or nationality. No criminal findings have been announced.

According to the Jewish community’s own account cited by The Nation, Kantor arrived in Bangkok in 1993 to serve as its rabbi. Chabad of Thailand runs Chabad Houses that provide religious, social and educational services, including kosher food, to Jewish residents and to the many Israeli and other Jewish travelers who visit the country.

Source: Instagram, @kikarhashabat. This report is an English translation of a Hebrew-language post.

View the original post on Instagram

Sources: Kikar HaShabbat on Instagram (Hebrew, translated), Oct. 29, 2026; The Nation (Thailand), “Anutin orders Kantor’s Thai citizenship revoked, citing US passport use 16 times,” Oct. 29, 2026; The Nation (Thailand), “PM Anutin defends order to revoke Kantor’s Thai citizenship,” Oct. 29, 2026; Khaosod English, “Thai PM revokes citizenship of Jewish community leader,” Oct. 29, 2026.