Jewish Cemetery Found in Chachoengsao, Residents Fear Mass Burials

A proposed Jewish cemetery site has been discovered in Chachoengsao Province after weeks of public discussion about plans by Thailand's Jewish community to establish a new burial ground called New Jewish Cemetery Thailand. The site is designed to accommodate around 1,200 graves and is located in Subdistrict Semet, Bang Khla District, approximately 500 meters from an early childhood development center.

On September 2, journalists and local officials including Namphung Khamsaoat, Semet Subdistrict Head, and residents conducted an inspection of the facility after it had been quiet for over two years. The 6-rai, 20-square-wah property is enclosed by a 4-meter-high concrete wall with a locked metal gate, preventing outsiders from viewing the interior. Inside, two large blue tents and sparse grass cover the open ground, while natural water sources, shrimp ponds, and fish ponds border the rear of the property.

A 70-year-old neighbor revealed that activity at the site began around 2567 (2024) when vans arrived carrying deceased bodies without coffins. She initially believed the location was a dried fruit processing facility. Residents had previously united in opposition to the cemetery and understood that permits could not be renewed, bringing temporary relief. However, recent online reports suggest Bangkok's Jewish cemetery is running out of space and the Chachoengsao site may be expanded to handle approximately 1,200 burials, reigniting community alarm.

Residents are particularly concerned about the impact on nearby water resources used for shrimp and fish farming. Residents fear that mass burials could contaminate local water sources and degrade environmental quality. Subdistrict Head Namphung Khamsaoat stated the site began taking shape but provided no further details about its current status or future operations.