Profile of Joseph Heim Kantor, Jewish community leader and chairman of the Chabad network, who lived in Thailand for nearly 20 years. He was one of the directors of the company that established the Jewish cemetery in Bang Khla, Chachoengsao, until Anutin signed the order to revoke his Thai citizenship.
On 30 Oct 2026, Joseph Heim Kantor had his Thai citizenship revoked after Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, signed the Ministry of Interior announcement on revoking Thai nationality dated 28 Oct 2026.
Joseph Heim Kantor received Thai citizenship officially published in the Royal Gazette on 11 Apr 2013, with his first national ID card issued on 2 May 2013. However, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Ministry of Justice, found actions potentially threatening national security economically and socially. Furthermore, Joseph continued using his original American nationality to travel to and from Australia 16 times, violating the naturalization conditions (see also: Anutin signs revocation of Joseph’s Thai citizenship for using American nationality to enter and exit the country, violating conditions. )
Regarding the background of Joseph Heim Kantor (Rabbi Joseph Heim Kantor), originally an American citizen, he was the leader of the Jewish community and chairman of the Chabad network in Thailand. He played a role in caring for the Jewish community and Israeli tourists in Thailand. Joseph arrived in Thailand in 1993 with his wife and children and was appointed religious leader of the Jewish community in Thailand. After about 20 years, he and his family applied for Thai citizenship.
He became known in the media due to the Jewish cemetery case in Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao. The cemetery is located on about 6 rai in Samed Tai Subdistrict, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao, called “Jewish Cemetery Thailand.” It was a new Jewish cemetery proposed by Gan Chabad Co., Ltd., affiliated with the Chabad Foundation of Thailand, to serve as a new burial site since the old cemetery in Bangkok was crowded, reportedly able to accommodate about 1,200 graves.
Local residents protested because the cemetery was near water sources and communities, raising concerns about hygiene, environment, and groundwater contamination. On 4 Sep 2026, officials inspected the cemetery. The private company owner allowed the inspection but barred media and private agency staff from entering. The head of Samed Tai Subdistrict Administrative Organization said four bodies were found on site; one within the permit period and three likely buried after the permit expired, indicating illegal burials (see also: Inspection found "bodies" at the Jewish cemetery site; authorities push for legal action. )
Chachoengsao Governor Chatpraorn Niyom revealed after inspection that a cemetery and crematorium license application was submitted in 2021, construction started in Nov 2022, and completed in Oct 2023. The site did not meet the legal criteria per regulations. On 12 Feb 2024, the screening committee unanimously decided the site failed the criteria under the 2000 ministerial regulations and resolved not to renew the license. Further details: No more bodies found, Chachoengsao governor clarifies Jewish cemetery issue and confirms no license renewal. )
Authorities also found that Joseph owned Chabad land in Phuket and Chachoengsao, was a company director for the Bang Khla cemetery, and possessed assets valued over 300 million baht. The case was referred to the Department of Special Investigation for financial probe, leading to the revocation of his Thai citizenship.
Deputy Minister of Interior Pol. Col. Phonpeer Suwanchavee said on 30 Oct that the Department of Provincial Administration will investigate Joseph’s heirs and those who acquired Thai citizenship through him. Since Joseph committed offenses, authorities will examine whether his relatives holding Thai citizenship have also violated laws, and will take similar action if so (see also: Phonpeer reveals urgency in investigating Joseph’s heirs after citizenship revocation and reviews 19 companies under their control. )