The history of Jews in Thailand dates back to the 17th century with the arrival of Baghdadi Jewish families. In the 1970s and 1980s, the population grew from an influx of Persian Jews fleeing persecution from Iran. The current community consists of the Ashkenazi descendants of refugees from Russia and the Soviet Union.
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Most permanent Jewish communities in Thailand consist of fewer than 1,000 individuals, and are located in Bangkok (especially in the Khaosan Road area), although smaller Jewish communities with synagogues exist in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui. During Jewish holidays, these communities' numbers sharply increase to several thousand people as a result of vacationing Jews, primarily from Israel and the United States. At the request of two of Bangkok's synagogues, Beth Elisheva and Even Chen, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor took up residence as the first permanent rabbi in Bangkok, in 1993. He has been in Thailand since 1993 (when the Jewish Association of Thailand was founded), and is a member of Chabad. He was joined in 1995 by Rabbi Nechemya Wilhelm, also of Chabad.
Chabad of Bangkok
Chabad of Bangkok is a small Chabad House in Bangkok, catering primarily to young Israeli tourists. It was an important center of disaster relief after the 2004 tsunami. It serves Sabbath meals to hundreds of Jewish travellers every week, including during Jewish religious festivals such as Passover. Due to security concerns in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, entry is restricted to the Jewish community.
Progressive Jewish Community of Thailand
Starting in 2014, a small group of progressive Jews from the UK, the US, Israel, and Thailand began organizing the Thailand Progressive Jewish Community (TPJC) in Bangkok using social media. As of September 2016, TPJC has more than 100 members. It meets monthly at various restaurants for Shabbat dinner and services and also organizes High Holy Day services, Passover seder, and Chanukah and Purim parties each year. Visiting rabbis from Singapore, the US, and Israel have come each year to lead High Holy Day services. TPJC has members in Chiang Mai who organize services and events there.
Jewish education
Today there is a complete range of Jewish education available in Bangkok, from kindergarten through high school. This includes a recently opened Orthodox yeshiva. After years of governmental refusal, permission has also been granted for the establishment of a Jewish cemetery.