BANGKOK — 10 September 2026, A group led by veteran activist Sondhi Limthongkul and the Campaign for People’s Transformation (CPT) rallied outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on 10 September 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, better 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.
Demonstration 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 (Siranudh Scott), a Thai activist, a renowned environmentalist and former heir of the Singha beer brand, known for his outspoken views on social and international issues. When Khaosod English’s Pravit Rojanaphruk ask wheter Psi has any message for the Israeli ambassador, he told her to get out of the country.
Four demands
Sondhi later read the demonstrators’ open letter to the Israeli ambassador, saying Thailand and its people wanted to see concrete action rather than formal responses.
The four demands 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.
Nationwide campaign planned
Sondhi also 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.
Sondhi also criticised the government’s handling of “grey capital” and referred to the prime minister’s visit to Pai to offer support to Israeli nationals there.
He questioned government claims that some of the problems originated under previous administrations, saying the prime minister had been in power for eight to nine years.
The group plans to continue its campaign across Thailand. Sondhi said he would travel to Chanthaburi on 13 September, followed by Hat Yai on 26 September with Panthep and physician-politician Warong Dechgitvigrom. The group also plans visits to Phuket, Chon Buri and Khon Kaen.
“We will travel across the country,” Sondhi said.
