Thailand's prime minister has reportedly revoked the citizenship of the country's chief rabbi because he continued to use his American passport to enter and leave countries, in violation of Thai law. The Straits Times, a Singaporean publication, reported on Thursday that the decision came as part of a wider crackdown on foreigners and dual nationals in Thailand under the government of Prime Minister Anutin Charanvirkules. Israelis in the Southeast Asian country have recently faced increased criticism and protests, and the length of their visas has been shortened. Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, a prominent Chabad rabbi born in the USA, who has lived in Thailand since 1993, received Thai citizenship in 2013 through the country's naturalization process, according to the publication. While he has long held Thai travel documents, he reportedly continued to use his U.S. passport while traveling, the report said. According to Article 19(2) of the Thai Nationality Act of 1965, the Thai government can revoke the citizenship of any dual citizen who has acquired citizenship through naturalization, if there is evidence to show that the person has continued to use their other citizenship. Chabad has a large presence in Thailand, as the country has long been a popular destination for Israelis and Jews from around the world. According to the Straight Times, last year about 420 thousand Israelis entered Israel and about 30 thousand live there full time. Israeli tourists and expatriates in Thailand have come under increased criticism in recent months due to an increase in accusations of disruptive behavior and cultural clashes with the locals. Demonstrations against Israelis were held in the country, some of which used anti-Semitic language. Thailand announced this year that it is shortening the visa-free stay for tourists from dozens of countries, including Israel, from 60 to 30 days, amid outrage over the conduct of tourists in the country.

Thailand's prime minister has reportedly revoked the citizenship of the country's chief rabbi because he continued to use his American passport to enter and leave countries, in violation of Thai law. The Straits Times, a Singaporean publication, reported on Thursday that the decision came as part of a wider crackdown on foreigners and dual nationals in Thailand under the government of Prime Minister Anutin Charanvirkules. Israelis in the Southeast Asian country have recently faced increased criticism and protests, and the length of their visas has been shortened. Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, a prominent Chabad rabbi born in the USA, who has lived in Thailand since 1993, received Thai citizenship in 2013 through the country's naturalization process, according to the publication. While he has long held Thai travel documents, he reportedly continued to use his U.S. passport while traveling, the report said. According to Article 19(2) of the Thai Nationality Act of 1965, the Thai government can revoke the citizenship of any dual citizen who has acquired citizenship through naturalization, if there is evidence to show that the person has continued to use their other citizenship. Chabad has a large presence in Thailand, as the country has long been a popular destination for Israelis and Jews from around the world. According to the Straight Times, last year about 420 thousand Israelis entered Israel and about 30 thousand live there full time. Israeli tourists and expatriates in Thailand have come under increased criticism in recent months due to an increase in accusations of disruptive behavior and cultural clashes with the locals. Demonstrations against Israelis were held in the country, some of which used anti-Semitic language. Thailand announced this year that it is shortening the visa-free stay for tourists from dozens of countries, including Israel, from 60 to 30 days, amid outrage over the conduct of tourists in the country.