Thai Prime Minister Sparks Outrage Over Foreigners and Cemetery Exhumations
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sparked outrage with harsh comments telling foreigners to die in their home countries, following the exhumation of four bodies from an unlicensed Jewish cemetery.
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sparked controversy on Thursday with harsh remarks directed at foreign nationals living in the country, amid a government crackdown on unauthorized foreign institutions. His comments followed the exhumation of four bodies from a Jewish cemetery in Chachoengsao province whose license had expired.
Speaking at a Ministry of Interior meeting in Bangkok focused on law enforcement against foreigners, Charnvirakul addressed requests for establishing private religious institutions and cemeteries. "Recently I learned that an application was also submitted to establish a private cemetery. This is going too far," the prime minister said, according to Thai media reports. "The very fact that we allowed you to come here is more than enough. If you come, make an honest living. If you are going to die, go die in your own home. There is no need to come and die here. And do not exploit others."
Crackdown on Unauthorized Facilities
The prime minister, who also serves as interior minister, added that foreigners seeking to establish religious institutions in Thailand must respect local society and culture while obtaining proper permits. He stressed that authorities will not allow places of worship to operate inside buildings licensed as restaurants.
"The very fact that we allowed you to come here is more than enough. If you come, make an honest living. If you are going to die, go die in your own home." — Anutin Charnvirakul
Exhumation of Bodies
The controversial statement came a day after Thai authorities removed four bodies from a Jewish cemetery in Chachoengsao province, east of Bangkok. The deceased included three Israeli citizens and one British citizen, who were relocated for reburial at an authorized cemetery in Chonburi province. Authorities determined that three of the individuals were buried after the cemetery's operating license had lapsed, prompting a broader government review of cemetery licensing and crematorium facilities nationwide.
