Thailand warns ‘problematic’ tourists could face deportation

Thailand's government has announced that tourists deemed "problematic" could face deportation following new rules implemented on Friday. These regulations, approved by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's administration in July, aim to protect the country's cultural values. According to the tourism minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, problematic foreign tourists or workers found guilty of certain crimes must leave the country.

These offenses include overstaying a visa, working illegally, using forged documents, or committing any other offense punishable by more than five years in prison.

The new rules, published in the Royal Gazette, mark a shift from the previous case-by-case approach to deportation. Surasak emphasized that the measures are designed to address the presence of "low-quality foreigners" who disrupt public order. In May, Thailand reduced the visa-free tourist stay period from 60 to 30 days, a move prompted by high-profile arrests of foreigners for drug offenses, sex trafficking, and operating businesses like hotels and schools.

Public debate has been sparked by several incidents involving foreigners, such as a video of Italian students acting rudely on a Bangkok train and a Spanish-Peruvian couple caught having sex in public. While experts acknowledge the need for stricter oversight, they warn that Thailand must balance this with its heavy reliance on tourism, which accounts for 13% of the country's GDP. The government projects that Thailand will welcome about 33.5 million foreign tourists in 2026, up from nearly 33 million visitors in 2025.