Sondhi rally delivers pointed anti-Israel message

Yellow-shirt veteran demands probe into Israeli land holdings and end to military violence in Gaza

Veteran activist Sondhi Limthongkul on Thursday rallied supporters outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok, where he called on Israel to monitor the behaviour of its citizens in Thailand, cooperate with investigations into Chabad centres and land ownership, and end military violence against civilians in Gaza.

The yellow-shirt protest veteran rallied about 200 supporters outside the Israeli Embassy at Ocean Tower 2 on Sukhumvit Soi 21 in Bangkok, where he attempted to submit a letter addressed to Israeli Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm.

The rally attracted flag-waving Thai nationalists concerned about foreign control of Thai land, as well as a handful of foreigners opposed to Israeli military activity. One Thai participant, perhaps unaware of the Nazi associations of the phrase, waved a “Jews Out” placard.

Also present was Siranudh “Psi” Scott, a marine conservationist and heir to the Singha beer fortune. He wore a T-shirt bearing the words “Not for Sale” and brandished a placard reading “Keep Zionist Expansion out of Thailand”.

The demonstration was the first major protest activity under Mr Sondhi’s newly launched “Take Our Thailand Back” campaign, which he announced earlier this week. He has stressed that the aim is not to topple the current government but to compel it to do more to protect Thai sovereignty and citizens.

Embassy officials informed rally organisers that no staff were working there on Thursday. According to Mr Sondhi, the embassy offered him an opportunity to meet the ambassador privately at a later date.

He rejected the offer, saying the campaign was being conducted on behalf of Thai citizens and was not a personal matter. (Story continues below).

People gather outside the Israeli Embassy in Ocean Tower 2 on Sukhumvit Soi 21 to press for investigations into Israeli land holdings in Thailand as well as to protest against the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza. (Photo: Sondhi Talk Facebook)

(Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)

Four demands

Mr Sondhi then read out his open letter in English and Thai. It called on the Israeli government and embassy to take “concrete action” in response to concerns over the conduct of some Israeli nationals in Thailand.

It alleged that some Israeli tourists and residents had violated Thai laws, caused disturbances in local communities, shown disrespect towards local customs and culture, and been involved in fraud and non-payment disputes.

“The Kingdom of Thailand has a longstanding tradition of extending warm hospitality to foreign visitors,” Mr Sondhi said.

“However, let it be clearly understood by the Embassy and the Government of Israel that generosity must never be mistaken for weakness, hospitality does not equate to submission to exploitation, and courtesy is not an open licence for anyone to act with impunity on our sovereign soil.”

The letter also raised concerns about the expansion of Chabad houses — community centres for Jewish people — as well as land acquisitions in Chachoengsao province. Chabad houses, the letter said, were intended to “advance the objectives orchestrated and funded by international Zionist networks”.

“The unchecked expansion of Chabad centres and large-scale land acquisitions in Chachoengsao province — purportedly for cemeteries, religious establishments or meditation facilities — reflect a concerted endeavour to establish permanent footholds and sovereign-like enclaves on Thai soil,” Mr Sondhi alleged.

In addition, it criticised Israeli policy towards Palestinians and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, accusing Israel of using force against civilians and civilian infrastructure and urging compliance with international humanitarian law.

The group submitted four formal demands:

• Stronger oversight and guidance for Israeli visitors to ensure compliance with Thai laws, culture and public order.
• Full cooperation with Thai authorities in prosecuting Israeli nationals involved in criminal offences, public disturbances or illegal business activities, without diplomatic intervention or shielding.
• Transparency and cooperation in investigations into land acquisitions in Chachoengsao and the funding and activities of Chabad centres and related entities in Thailand.
• Conveying public concerns to the Israeli government and calling for an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure, schools and hospitals, and adherence to international humanitarian law.

Mr Sondhi said the petition was intended to protect Thailand’s sovereignty and national dignity and that he expected a substantive response from the embassy rather than a formal acknowledgement.

At the end of the rally, Mr Sondhi told supporters he planned to travel to Chanthaburi, Phuket, Chon Buri and other provinces to meet supporters and pressure the government to quickly address important issues, including national security and the economy.