BANGKOK: Thailand’s government said on Thursday it had revoked the citizenship of a prominent head rabbi who was a naturalised Thai, as the country tightens enforcement of its immigration laws. Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor’s Thai citizenship was stripped over his repeated use of his US passport after naturalisation in 2013, according to an interior ministry statement. The order was signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also interior minister. Thai law prohibits naturalised citizens from continuing to use their former nationality, although it is not always enforced.
Kantor arrived in Thailand in 1993, according to the Jewish Association of Thailand. After naturalisation, he continued to use his US passport up to 16 times to travel to Australia, the interior ministry said. “Any illegal act, whatever it involves, must be dealt with firmly,” Anutin told reporters when asked about the order.
Rabbi Nehemya Wilhelm, of the Chabad House in Bangkok, said Kantor has lived in Thailand for more than 30 years. “Thailand is his home,” said the rabbi, who also holds Thai citizenship. “It’s really painful to get such a decision just because he has another citizenship.” — AFP
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