Activist Sondhi Leads Rally at Israeli Embassy in Bangkok
Activist Sondhi Limthongkul led a rally outside Thailand's Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on September 10, demanding the government act against what protesters say is unlawful behavior by Israeli nationals and their operations in the country.
BANGKOK — A group led by veteran activist Sondhi Limthongkul and the Campaign for People's Transformation rallied outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on September 10, 2026, calling for the government to take action against what they described as unlawful behaviour by some Israeli nationals and grey capital operating in Thailand.
The demonstration, held under the campaign slogan "Take Back Our Thailand," began at around 09:30. Demonstration leaders submitted an open letter to the Israeli ambassador outlining four demands.
The rally was led by Sondhi, former leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy; Panthep Puapongphan, chairman of the Yamfah Foundation; lawyer Nitithorn Lamlue, known as "Nok Khao"; and Pichit Chaimongkol, a CPT leader. The gathering comes amid heightened public debate in Thailand over Israel and its military operations, as well as the presence of Israeli nationals in Thailand.
Demonstrators waved Thai flags and carried signs in Thai and English, including "Israel, be respectful to Thai people," "My land," and "Take Back Our Thailand." Among those attending was Thai activist Psi Samut, a renowned environmentalist and former heir of the Singha beer brand, known for his outspoken views on social and international issues.
The four demands submitted to the Israeli ambassador were:
Israel should control the conduct of its citizens and instruct tourists to respect Thai laws, culture and local people. Israel should not protect offenders and should cooperate with Thai authorities in legal proceedings. Authorities should ensure transparency in investigations into land ownership in Chachoengsao province, as well as the operations of Chabad centres and related organisations. Israel should convey the demonstrators' concerns to its government and stop actions against civilians, hospitals and schools while complying with international humanitarian law.
Sondhi stressed that Thai hospitality should not be interpreted as weakness or consent to mistreatment. "Kindness is not weakness. Hospitality is not consent to being bullied, and politeness is not a licence for anyone to do whatever they want on Thai soil," he said.
Sondhi discussed the demonstrators' broader political movement, saying the rally represented an early stage of a campaign by civil society. He rejected suggestions that the movement was aimed at immediately overthrowing the government, saying instead that the government should face pressure over what demonstrators regarded as wrongdoing and should make changes.
