Justice Minister Seeks Citizenship Revocation for Three Jewish Businessmen
Justice Minister Pol. Gen. Thawee Sodsong is moving to revoke Thai citizenship from three more Jewish businessmen as part of Operation Yuttharat, a multi-agency crackdown on nominee shareholders. Authorities have already searched three Bangkok locations, including the Chabad Thailand Foundation office, and are preparing additional citizenship revocation cases and asset investigations. No criminal charges have been filed yet as financial trails from abroad are still being traced.
Justice Minister Pol. Gen. Thawee Sodsong chaired a meeting on November 4 at the Ministry of Justice on Chaeng Watthana Road to review progress and discuss ways to expand Operation "Yuttharat," which targets the use of nominee individuals or entities to conceal true ownership. Representatives from ten government agencies attended, focusing on integrating data to link evidence and identify the real beneficiaries behind businesses and assets, while establishing systematic procedures for dealing with those involved.
Pol. Gen. Thawee said the meeting expanded on earlier inspections under Operation Yuttharat targeting Israeli businessmen. Three locations in Bangkok were searched, and each agency analyzed documents and evidence collected. The agencies — including the Department of Provincial Administration, Department of Employment, Department of Business Development, Department of Lands, Revenue Department, Royal Thai Police, and Immigration Bureau — will now consolidate operational plans and measures for public disclosure.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has already submitted evidence to the Department of Provincial Administration to revoke the citizenship of Yosef Hem Kanter (also known as Raabi Yosef), a Jewish community leader and chairman of the Chabad network in Thailand. Two additional cases are being prepared for citizenship revocation. Authorities are also accelerating asset and business investigations, including tax compliance issues, with further operations planned.
The three searched locations included the office of the Chabad Thailand Foundation and Association on Phra Athit Road in Bangkok, where financial records and other documents were seized for analysis.
Regarding summonses, Pol. Gen. Thawee said the citizenship revocation for Yosef is proceeding first. Additional criminal charges are still under consideration as investigators trace foreign financial flows through foundations and companies, so no criminal charges have been filed yet.
The minister also addressed any link between Yosef and Israeli investor Mimon David Marciano, who faces a separate special case in Pattaya, Chon Buri, investigated by the Department of Special Investigation. Marciano has already been charged, but no joint transactions between the two men have been found.
Pol. Gen. Thawee added that beyond the evidence gathered for Yosef's citizenship revocation, the task force is preparing further action.
