Phuket authorities have ordered the partial closure of a six-storey community centre in Patong after building inspectors found unauthorized structural alterations, including a rooftop restaurant and enclosed parking area that did not appear on approved plans.
Patong Municipality issued a formal order on September 1 under Section 40(1) of the Building Control Act, giving the property owner 30 days to rectify the violations or apply for permits. The order suspends use of the first and fifth floors, which were modified without authorization.
Rooftop demolition underway
The most visible violation sits on top of the building. A section of the rooftop, measuring approximately 14 metres by 12 metres, had been converted into a restaurant, club and banquet hall featuring a steel framework and white canvas tent.
Workers have already begun demolishing this structure. Additionally, authorities found that a portion of the parking area — about 15 metres by 12 metres — had been enclosed and repurposed as an unauthorized restaurant space.
The investigation follows directives from Deputy Interior Minister Polpee Suwanchawee and was launched by Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom. It began after 500 residents staged a September protest near the venue, carrying signs reading "Save Phuket, No Israel" and calling for the cancellation of a Rosh Hashanah event.
Expanded review of business operations
Officials have widened their scrutiny beyond construction to examine the shareholding structures of two companies linked to the property, with combined assets estimated at Bt261.58 million.
Authorities are reviewing the firms' ownership arrangements — which reportedly involve two Thai directors and one Israeli director — to determine whether there are connections to another company managing a Jewish cemetery project where permits had expired and unauthorized burials were taking place.
An earlier inspection in March 2026, prompted by public complaints, had found the establishment held valid licenses for restaurant and club operations. No illegal items or criminal offenses were detected at that time.
As of September 15, authorities confirmed that no criminal charges have been filed against the Chabad House in Patong. The review remains focused on document verification and compliance.
What happens next
If the managing company submits permit applications within the 30-day window, engineers will evaluate whether the alterations meet safety and regulatory standards. Failure to comply could result in legal enforcement under Thailand's Building Control Act, which carries penalties of up to three months' imprisonment or fines of Bt60,000, plus daily fines of up to Bt10,000 for ongoing violations.
Governor Chotinarin has ordered a seven-day deadline for initial findings, with a commitment to release the results publicly upon completion.
