Phuket Tensions Rise Ahead of Jewish New Year Celebration

Patong—

The atmosphere outside Chabad Patong grew increasingly active this afternoon as Jewish and Israeli visitors began arriving for a religious ceremony scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. Local police placed traffic cones along the opposite side of the street to prevent vehicles from parking in the area, though no visible security deployment has yet been observed around the venue.

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.

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.

Now for the update:

Meanwhile, the nationalist group Protect Phuket Land reaffirmed its plan to march along its original route, beginning at Patong’s Dolphin Park and passing directly in front of Chabad Patong. The group announced it will stage a “Hyde Park” style gathering at the site for approximately one hour.

Authorities had earlier requested that the procession avoid the Chabad frontage, with the Patong police superintendent relaying the province’s appeal. However, organizers have insisted they will proceed as originally notified, setting the stage for a tense overlap between the religious ceremony and the protest activity.

This convergence shows the delicate balance between public assembly and community safety in Phuket, where police are under pressure to manage both religious observances and political demonstrations in the same space.