Authorities search Jewish buildings in Bangkok - Bangkok Post
Officials enter Chabad of Bangkok on Phra Athit Road in Phra Nakhon district on Thursday. (Supplied photo) Authorities searched three buildings associated with Israelis in Bangkok on Thursday as part of an investigation into foreigners’ business activities in Thailand.
The operation involved several agencies, including the Department of Special Investigation, the Revenue Department, the Land Department, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Department of Provincial Administration and the Department of Business Development.
The searches took place at the Chabad of Bangkok foundation on Phra Athit Road in Phra Nakhon district; Gan Chabad Co on the 17th floor of ITF Tower in Bang Rak district; and the Jewish Association of Thailand on Sukhumvit 22 Road in Klong Toey district.
According to the Ministry of Justice, officials found three undocumented Myanmar workers at Chabad of Bangkok. At Gan Chabad Co, they found documents indicating that it operates restaurants and hotels. They also found documents showing that 61 companies were registered at a single address, as well as records indicating that a group of foreign nationals who had acquired Thai citizenship held shares in numerous companies.
At the Jewish Association of Thailand, officials found two undocumented Lao workers.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said the raids extended an investigation he had launched in Phuket and Chachoengsao provinces.
He said Chabad of Bangkok had a small room registered as the foundation’s office, measuring just 2.5 metres by 3 metres. The same room was also registered as the office of five companies.
“There are many questions about why they were registered there. There was not a single document about the foundation, its operations, work processes, financial transactions or financial statements,” Mr Polapee said.
The relevant authorities said they would examine documents seized from the buildings to determine whether there had been any legal violations relating to land acquisition, financial transactions or business operations.
