Thailand warns ‘problematic’ foreigners face deportation under tougher rules

Thailand has implemented stricter regulations targeting foreign visitors who break local laws, including those who overstay visas, work illegally, or commit serious crimes, the country's Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has warned. The new rules, effective last Friday, establish procedures for deporting individuals convicted of certain offences after serving their sentences, including those involving visa violations, illegal businesses, and crimes carrying prison terms exceeding five years.

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's administration introduced these measures in July, citing the need to safeguard the nation's cultural values and public order. However, the government maintains its openness to foreigners for travel, work, and business purposes. The tougher regulations aim to curb the presence of "low-quality foreigners" whose actions disrupt public order.

The stricter measures come amid a reassessment of Thailand's approach to foreign visitors, despite the country's heavy reliance on tourism, which accounts for roughly 13% of its GDP. In May, Thailand reduced the visa-free stay for tourists from most countries from 60 days to 30 days following several high-profile arrests of foreigners for drug offenses, sex trafficking, and illegal business operations.

In July, an Italian Embassy apologized after a video of noisy and disrespectful Italian students on a Bangkok train went viral. Additionally, Thai authorities deported a Spanish and a Peruvian national in May for engaging in public indecency, considered an offense under Thai law. Analysts have cautioned that Thailand must strike a delicate balance between enforcing stricter regulations and maintaining its economic dependence on tourism.

The government anticipates around 33.5 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2026, up from nearly 33 million in 2025. As of August 2026, Thailand has received 18 million foreign visitors this year, with arrivals down about 3% compared to the same period last year.