Thailand has introduced new regulations allowing authorities to deport foreign nationals who do not abide by the country’s laws or are deemed a threat to public order.
“Problematic foreign tourists or workers who break the law must leave”, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said unequivocally, as the measure came into effect.
The Prime Minister’s Office Regulation on Deportation, signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, came into force on 28 28 August, establishing clearer procedures for cases previously dealt with largely on an individual basis.
The new law applies to any foreign national who contravenes the law in any of the following six categories: entering or remaining in Thailand illegally (including overstaying a visa); working without the proper authorisations; operating a business in violation of foreign business laws; forging or using fraudulent official documents; committing an offence punishable by at least five years in prison; or acting as the principal offender in any of the above cases, instigating them, or being an accomplice to them.
The Thai government stressed that the aim of the new measure is not to discourage or even restrict legitimate work, travel or business in the country, but rather to “draw a clear line between foreigners who contribute positively to Thai society and those who break the law”.
This aligns with Thailand’s broader direction in tourism, where the country is increasingly favouring “quality over quantity”. The new tourism strategy aims to establish Thailand as “Asia’s No. 1 High-Value & Meaningful Destination”, focusing on higher-spending travellers and meaningful experiences, as well as distributing tourism revenue more widely around the country. This could be more difficult to achieve with unruly tourists.
Clear procedures for deporting foreign nationals from Thailand are now being enforced. Foreign nationals subject to deportation are highlighted here. pic.twitter.com/BBVN4huuGi
— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) August 28, 2026
The authorities added that the new regulation should improve coordination between the Department of Corrections and the Interior Ministry. It should also streamline the deportation process for foreign nationals, enabling proceedings to begin as soon as their prison sentence is completed.
Alongside the formal deportation rules, Surasak has announced a broader “zero tolerance” approach towards foreign tourists who “threaten public safety, cause disturbances or behave aggressively and arrogantly”. The latter can now be detained, have their visas revoked, and face immediate removal and deportation proceedings, as well as being blacklisted and permanently barred from entering the country.
Surasak applauded the new measure, stating that his ministry would cooperate with the Interior Ministry, the Tourist Police Bureau, and the Immigration Bureau. He added that the authorities were “ready to enforce the law decisively and deport them immediately” in order to protect “all Thai people and maintain a safe environment for other tourists”.
When the minister emphasised that the rules were intended solely for those “low-quality foreigners” who disrupt public order, he could have been referring to the Spanish and Peruvian nationals who were deported in May after being caught having sex in public, or the group of Italian students on a Bangkok train who were so rude and unruly in July that Italy’s embassy was forced to apologise.
Thailand has also moved to shorten visa-free stays for travellers from many countries from 60 to 30 days following several visa misuse and illegal business activities.
At the same time, the government has assured that “Thailand continues to warmly welcome law-abiding foreign visitors, workers, and residents”, while also committing to taking firm and consistent action against those who do not respect its laws.
Tourism is a major pillar of Thailand’s economy, accounting for around 13% of the country’s GDP and 12% of jobs. In 2025, the country welcomed 32.97 million international visitors, generating 1.54 trillion baht (€40 billion). The government expects to receive around 33.5 million foreign visitors in 2026.
