UPDATE: Chabad in Patong Confirms Jewish New Year Celebration Will Continue Amid Local Opposition

Phuket –

The Chabad Patong community has confirmed plans to proceed with its Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) celebration on September 11, despite mounting opposition from local activist groups. Organizers agreed to scale back the event’s scope and duration following tense negotiations with provincial authorities.

Our previous stories:

A local activist group, Protect Phuket Land, has formally petitioned provincial authorities to reconsider the upcoming Jewish New Year festival, Rosh Hashana, scheduled for September 11th, 2026.

Phuket authorities have requested organizers of the upcoming Rosh Hashanah event in Patong to reassess the event due to concerns regarding public safety, the community, and tourism.

Now for the update:

Phuket officials have reached an agreement with organizers of the upcoming Jewish New Year festival, Rosh Hashana, to reduce the scale of celebrations in Patong. The decision follows a meeting on September 8th, chaired by Deputy Governor Pol. Lt. Col. Khetarat Chansilp, under the direction of Governor Chotnarin Kedsom, with representatives from relevant agencies.

Authorities explained the need to balance cultural festivities with public safety, community well-being, and Phuket’s tourism image. After discussions, organizers agreed to several adjustments:

• Single Venue: The event will now be held only at Chabad House Patong, instead of two separate locations.
• Reduced Attendance: The number of participants will be capped at 800, down from the original estimate of 1,000.
• Shorter Hours: The festival will run from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., instead of continuing until midnight.

Organizers explained that preparations, including ticket sales, were already underway, making cancellation impractical. Instead, the scaled-down format was adopted to allow authorities to manage security, traffic, and community impact more effectively.

Provincial agencies will closely monitor the event, focusing on safety, orderliness, and minimizing disruption to local residents. Officials believe the compromise will ensure the festival proceeds smoothly while maintaining confidence among both locals and tourists.