"Pholpeer" inspects the Jewish cemetery in Chachoengsao province, discovering four bodies buried without notifying authorities. He orders suspension of removals and accelerates identity verification, emphasizing examination of financial trails and land ownership rights, with a deadline for progress reporting by 13 Sep.
At 09:40 on 11 September 2026, Mr. Pholpeer Suwanchavee, Deputy Minister of the Interior, visited the JEWISH CEMETERY THAILAND in Samet Tai Subdistrict, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao Province. He was joined by Ms. Chatpraorn Niyom, Governor of Chachoengsao; Mr. Wirun Sitthiwong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration; Mr. Peeraphon Loola, Provincial Secretary of Chachoengsao; Mr. Ekkanat Kritayapong, District Chief of Bang Khla; along with heads of government agencies and other relevant parties.
Mr. Pholpeer revealed that upon investigation, the site "lacks a legal license for cemetery or crematorium operations" and is not a venue for any religious ceremonies. Four deceased bodies were found on the grounds: three graves sealed with cement and marble nameplates indicating death years of 2023 (one body), and 2025 and 2026 (two bodies), clear evidence of burials during an unlicensed period. The fourth body remains under a tent covered by a tarp and is uncemented, believed to have been buried this year as well.
"The urgent issue now is not the company's request to move the bodies, but rather the 'verification of identities' to confirm whether all four are truly foreigners as claimed and if the names on the plaques match. Local administration and municipal authorities have never been notified of these deaths. Thus, the Department of Provincial Administration, together with public health officials, has been tasked to thoroughly investigate causes of death—whether natural, accidental, or foul play—to prevent body concealment within the kingdom. The company has been ordered to submit official documents verifying identities and causes of death from relevant agencies before any removal is permitted," Mr. Pholpeer said.
Mr. Pholpeer added that regarding the intention to move the bodies to a cemetery in the Charoen Krung area, where the company already leases land containing about 49 Israeli graves, readiness of the new site must be verified alongside documentation confirming the deceased identities. Regarding the permit allegedly granted in 2021 despite the land bordering water sources and public roads—which led to non-renewal in 2023—the district chief reported that some roads had not officially been designated as highways or public roads at the time. Nevertheless, current operations are clearly illegal. The province will compile a factual report for the Administrative Court to assist ongoing litigation and alleviate local residents' concerns.
"Regarding land ownership, transactions were conducted by Karshabat Company Limited over about 15 rai valued around 20 million baht. Shareholders include three Israeli nationals who have naturalized as Thai citizens, thus legally entitled to own land. However, investigations show these shareholders are linked to businesses in Patong, Phuket, and networks in Chonburi province. The Minister of Justice and Deputy Minister of Interior (Mr. Worasit Liangprasit) have previously conducted raids, and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has issued summonses. If violations are confirmed, the government can seize assets, revoke Thai citizenship, and deport offenders."
Mr. Pholpeer further stated that although no direct evidence of money laundering was found at this cemetery, the network in Chonburi clearly uses nominees to hold land, hotels, real estate, and various businesses. The Ministry of Interior, Department of Provincial Administration, DSI, Anti-Money Laundering Office, National Anti-Corruption Commission, and Ministry of Commerce have jointly investigated for nearly a month and plan to hold a meeting at Government House to present the entire network to the Prime Minister for further action.
"The unauthorized burial of bodies without permits and failure to notify local authorities is a serious irregularity showing intent to disregard the law. I have ordered the Governor of Chachoengsao and Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration to consider additional charges to comprehensively prosecute the offenders. The Cemetery and Crematorium Act B.E. 2528, which imposes only a 2,000-baht fine, is insufficient to deter such violations. Officials will urgently finalize information for prompt legal action," Mr. Pholpeer said.
Deadline set for reporting progress on illegal cemetery investigation in Chachoengsao by 13 September.
At 10:40, Mr. Pholpeer held a progress meeting on the inspection of JEWISH CEMETERY THAILAND and security issues in Chachoengsao province at Bang Khla District Office. Attendees included Governor Ms. Chatpraorn Niyom, Deputy Director-General Mr. Wirun Sitthiwong, Provincial Secretary Mr. Peeraphon Loola, District Chief Mr. Ekkanat Kritayapong, and heads of relevant agencies.
Mr. Pholpeer stated that regarding the illegal cemetery site, a clear order was issued requiring the province to summarize facts about the land-use application since 2021. The completeness and correctness of documents and geographical conditions at that time must be verified against cemetery licensing criteria. He also requested explanation of changes between 2021 and 1 January 2024 that led to non-renewal of the license. As the former district chief responsible for the area and initial approval, he is expected to report detailed insights.
"Furthermore, the province and related agencies must coordinate with Immigration to verify if the four bodies are truly Israeli nationals, their date of entry, visa types, and causes of death. My greatest concern is if any of the cemented graves contain deceased Thai nationals whose deaths are unknown and who have been impersonated. This would be a major issue. Moreover, the years inscribed on the cement (2025 and 2026) correspond to dates after 2023, clearly abnormal. We cannot allow anyone, even Thai citizens, to act arbitrarily on Thai soil. The law must be upheld," Mr. Pholpeer said.
Mr. Pholpeer continued that this matter requires nationwide enhanced inspections, including at the Charoen Krung cemetery in Bangkok, which operates legally and is Thai-owned but leased by foreigners who have buried about 49 bodies. A thorough retrospective review is needed on their identities, origins, and causes of death. Moving or burying bodies without hospital procedures, autopsies, or official death certificates cannot be done casually. The Department of Provincial Administration must develop a clear digital database summarizing licensed and unlicensed cemeteries and crematoriums nationwide, categorized by religious groups, to prevent discrepancies as before.
"If after the governor's 7-day order the landholders still refuse to remove the bodies, the province must prepare contingency plans 1, 2, and 3 immediately. These include law enforcement for demolition, calculation of costs, contracting demolition services, and proper religious handling of the deceased. We are a country with defined land ownership; bodies cannot be dug up and dumped in rivers. All details, including whether relatives have been informed, must be clarified and reported to me in Sunday's meeting by 16:00," Mr. Pholpeer said.
Mr. Pholpeer added that although the company’s founders are naturalized Thai citizens originally foreigners—who legally may own land—the investigation will focus on other legal violations, especially under the Cemetery and Crematorium Act B.E. 2528 and related regulations. The Ministry of Interior has instructed all provinces to comprehensively compile data on such establishments. Where illegal actions are found, strict legal prosecution will proceed without exception.
In closing, Mr. Pholpeer emphasized progress in disciplining government officials involved in the 8 August 2026 raid on illegal entertainment venues where drugs and underage individuals were found, with local leaders implicated. He ordered the province to intensify efforts to investigate implicated officials for disciplinary and legal measures swiftly, preventing offenders from continuing work and receiving salaries. The Ministry of Interior must act without delay to set an example for social order, ensuring justice and public welfare promptly.