Authorities Monitor Peaceful Protest Against Jewish New Year Festival in Patong

Patong-

Local officials in Phuket coordinated a multi-agency operation yesterday afternoon to ensure public safety during a protest against the planned Jewish New Year festival organized by Chabad Patong.

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.

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.

Now for the update:

At 3:00 p.m., Siwatch Rawangkul, Acting Provincial Governor of Phuket, joined district and municipal leaders, police from Patong Police Station, and administrative officers to oversee the situation in Patong, Kathu District. The operation focused on maintaining order while safeguarding the rights of demonstrators.

Approximately 400 people gathered to voice opposition to the festival, citing concerns about potential impacts on the community. Protesters called on authorities to review the event and its implications. They said the protest wasn’t about a specific religion or nationality but instead about overall security concerns.

Officials expressed a balanced approach, upholding the legal right to assembly and free expression while minimizing disruption to residents, businesses, and tourists. Security forces were deployed to monitor the area closely, prioritizing calm and safety.

The demonstration remained peaceful throughout. By 5:50 p.m., participants had dispersed without incident.

Phuket authorities reaffirmed their commitment to neutrality, lawfulness, and the protection of all parties involved. Their stated goal is to ensure that public freedoms are exercised responsibly, without infringing on the rights of others or disturbing the area’s stability.