Chachoengsao Halts New Jewish Cemetery Project

MGR Online•General•17d ago

Reader Briefing

Chachoengsao province has ordered the cessation of a new Jewish cemetery in Bang Khla district due to legal non-compliance and community protests.

•The Jewish Community of Thailand established a new cemetery in Chachoengsao because the original site in Bangkok is nearly full.
•Local residents in Samet Tai Subdistrict protested the cemetery due to its proximity to communities, schools, and agricultural water sources.
•Chachoengsao province denied the renewal of the cemetery's permit because the site failed to meet ministerial regulations.
•The Ministry of Interior rejected an appeal against the permit denial because it was submitted past the legal deadline.
•Operations at the Jewish Cemetery Thailand have ceased, and the existing remains have been moved out of the area.

•The Jewish Community of Thailand sought a new burial site in Chachoengsao to provide long-term religious burial options as the Bangkok cemetery, established in 1997 (1997), reached capacity.
•The Jewish Community of Thailand raised funds to purchase land in Chachoengsao, and the Chevra Kadisha conducted the opening ceremonies and initial burials.
•Local residents in Samet Tai Subdistrict, Bang Khla District, opposed the cemetery because it was located near Ban Nong Sano School, Samet Tai Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, and shrimp farms.
•An inspection by Bang Khla District found the site violated regulations by being adjacent to public roads and public waterways used for irrigation and flood drainage.
•On February 12, 2024, a screening committee unanimously decided not to renew the permit based on Ministerial Regulations (2000).
•On September 29, 2025, the Department of Provincial Administration notified that the Minister of Interior would not accept the appeal due to it being filed late.
•The representative of the company operating the cemetery has filed a case with the Rayong Administrative Court.
•Chachoengsao Governor Chatpraorn Niyom has ordered local officials to continue monitoring the situation in the area.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Chatpraorn Niyom(ฉัตรประอร นิยม)

The Governor of Chachoengsao Province who ordered the inspection of cemetery operations.

Jewish Community of Thailand

The community that campaigned for funds to establish a new cemetery in Chachoengsao.

Chevra Kadisha(เชวรา คาดิชา)ℹ️

The group responsible for Jewish funeral rites who performed the opening ceremony at the new site.

Ban Nong Sano School(โรงเรียนบ้านหนองโสน)

A school located near the site of the new Jewish cemetery.

Samet Tai Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital(โรงพยาบาลส่งเสริมสุขภาพตำบลเสม็ดใต้)

A health facility located near the site of the new Jewish cemetery.

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

The ministry whose minister declined to hear the appeal regarding the cemetery permit.

Department of Provincial Administration(กรมการปกครอง)ℹ️

The department that notified the result of the appeal decision from the Minister of Interior.

Rayong Administrative Court(ศาลปกครองระยอง)

The court where the company operating the cemetery has filed a lawsuit.

Jewish Cemetery Thailand(JEWISH CEMETRY THAILAND)

The unauthorized cemetery located in Samet Tai Subdistrict, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao.

Chachoengsao(ฉะเชิงเทรา)ℹ️

The province where the new Jewish cemetery was attempted to be established.

Bang Khla(บางคล้า)ℹ️

The district in Chachoengsao where the contested cemetery is located.

Samet Tai(เสม็ดใต้)

The subdistrict in Bang Khla District where the cemetery site is situated.

Ministerial Regulations (2000)(กฎกระทรวง (พ.ศ. 2543))

The regulations used to determine that the cemetery site did not meet legal criteria.