Patong Beach Club Confirms Jewish New Year Festival in Phuket
Patong Beach Club will hold its Jewish New Year festival in Phuket on September 11 despite safety concerns raised by local groups, though organizers have scaled back the event to 800 attendees and an earlier 9 p.m. closing time.
Patong Beach Club has confirmed it will proceed with the Jewish New Year festival in Phuket on September 11, despite opposition from a local conservation group that cited safety and security concerns. The group submitted a letter to the provincial government warning that the event, expected to draw at least 1,000 Jewish residents and visitors, could pose safety risks and invite violence from third parties.
After receiving the letter, Phuket province convened a meeting with relevant agencies and representatives from Patong Beach Club. All parties expressed concern about safety and the tourism image of Phuket, and requested the club reconsider the event. However, the club confirmed it will proceed on September 11, arguing that cancellation would cause severe damage to both Phuket's status as a world-class tourist destination and to the club itself, since the event is held annually and globally, and tickets have already been sold.
As a compromise, the club will reduce the event's scale and duration. Originally planned across two venues—Patong Beach Club and a hotel—it will now be held at the club only, reducing attendees from 1,000 to no more than 800 people. The event will also end at 9:00 p.m. instead of the originally scheduled midnight closing.
