Thailand Enacts New Rules on the Deportation of Foreigners Who Disrupt Public Order

On August 28, 2026, a new administrative framework for the deportation of foreign nationals will take effect in Thailand. The relevant regulation from the Office of the Prime Minister was published in the Thai Official Gazette on August 27, 2026, and had been signed the previous day by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. It takes effect the day after its publication and applies not only to tourists but, in principle, to all foreigners residing in the country.

Important for travelers and visa applicants: The new regulation does not create new grounds for deportation but is intended to make existing procedures between the relevant authorities clearer and faster. Thai authorities expressly emphasize that the country continues to welcome foreigners who enter legally for tourism, business, or other purposes. Anyone who complies with the regulations and holds a valid visa is not affected by the new regulation.

Behavior that threatens public order may lead to deportation

Article 4 of the regulation stipulates that foreign nationals whose conduct or circumstances are deemed harmful to public order, public morality, or the common good of the population may be subject to deportation proceedings. Individuals who incite or support such conduct may also fall under this regulation. The authority to make this decision clearly lies with the Ministry of the Interior: The State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior or an authorized official forwards the case to the Minister of the Interior, who decides on the deportation.

It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Tourism is not granted direct authority to deport travelers—the final decision always rests with the Ministry of the Interior after a review of the individual case. The regulation also covers more clearly defined legal issues, such as violations of Thai law, which have previously been handled inconsistently.

For the vast majority of tourists and business travelers, the new regulation changes practically nothing, as long as entry and stay requirements are met. Anyone staying in Thailand legally with a valid visa and complying with applicable laws has nothing to fear. It therefore remains crucial to have the appropriate documents before traveling—whether it’s a tourist visa for Thailand, an e-visa for Thailand, or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for Thailand, depending on the purpose of your stay and your nationality.

Here at buch-dein-visum.de, we closely monitor such regulatory changes and ensure that your application documents meet the current requirements. Since clearly defined procedures are intended to enable faster processing of border cases in the future, it is all the more worthwhile for travelers to submit all necessary documentation completely and correctly before departure to avoid delays or misunderstandings upon entry.