Thailand's new deportation rules put foreigners on faster track

Foreign nationals convicted of overstaying, illegal work, document fraud or serious crimes could now face faster deportation from Thailand. The change came after officials adopted a stricter approach to unlawful behaviour by tourists.

The procedure took effect on 28 August, one day after its publication in Thailand’s Royal Gazette. It does not create new offences or make deportation automatic for poor manners, despite broader warnings directed at «problematic» tourists.

Instead, the regulation sets out how government agencies should handle removals under powers that already existed, according to an official Thai government summary.

The real change is that agencies now have a timetable for moving convicted foreign offenders from prison towards deportation, rather than starting the process only after their release.

Who can be deported from Thailand?

The updated rules identify six grounds for action:

entering or remaining in Thailand illegally;
working without permission;
running an unlawful foreign-owned business;
using forged official documents;
committing an offence carrying a prison sentence of at least five years;
or helping another person to commit one of those offences.

Where a foreign national is serving a sentence under a final court judgement, prison authorities must send their details to the Interior Ministry at least 15 days before release, Thai media outlet The Nation reported, citing the regulation.

That allows officials to prepare deportation without leaving the person in legal limbo after their sentence. An order may also include a temporary ban on returning to Thailand.

This change is important for an increasing number of Central Asian travellers. The number of Uzbek citizens visiting Thailand more than doubled in early 2025, with most travelling visa-free for holidays.

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Bad behaviour is not a separate offence

Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has linked the tougher message to complaints about foreign visitors in Phuket and Koh Samui. But the government says it will make decisions individually rather than against entire nationalities.

In one recent case, immigration authorities cancelled the visa of a tourist accused of threatening and harassing a zoo owner on Koh Samui, according to the Thai government’s PR department.

The regulation includes a safeguard for people who could face torture, enforced disappearance or cruel treatment if returned to their home country. Another state or an international organisation may seek to transfer them to a safe third country, with the person’s written consent.