On August 28, 2026, new Prime Minister's Office regulations officially took effect, granting the Interior Ministry expanded authority to deport foreign nationals who violate Thai law. According to the Royal Gazette announcement, the framework establishes an expedited timeline for removing offenders. Multiple reports, including from the Pattaya Mail, note the policy aims to push foreign lawbreakers out of the country within a 30-day timeframe.
The regulations target foreigners involved in illegal work, visa violations, and unlawful business operations.
Even before this new mandate went live, authorities were already stepping up enforcement. On August 26, immigration police on Koh Tao arrested six European diving instructors for working illegally while holding the newly introduced Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), according to the Thai Examiner. Similarly, on August 25, an Israeli tourist had his visa revoked following a dispute at a Koh Samui zoo.
The crackdown continues under the new rules. On August 29, a DOPA SWAT team raided a Chinese-linked club in Huai Khwang as part of a broader sweep against unlicensed venues and suspected nominee ownership, Khaosod English reports.
What this means for you
The 30-day removal goal is a significant acceleration from previous deportation procedures. If you are living, working, or investing in Thailand, the margin for error regarding your visa and business structure has effectively vanished.
Based on the new regulations and recent enforcement actions, expats must ensure strict compliance in the following areas:
- Work authorization: You cannot perform local work without a valid work permit. As demonstrated by the recent Koh Tao arrests, holding a DTV does not exempt you from this rule if you are working for a Thai business or local clients.
- Business ownership: The use of Thai citizens as proxy shareholders (nominees) to bypass foreign ownership restrictions remains a primary target for enforcement and subsequent removal.
- Public conduct: Visas can be canceled for behavior deemed harmful to public order, as seen in the recent Koh Samui visa revocation.
Expats relying on informal business structures or working locally on tourist or remote-work visas should consult legal counsel to regularize their status. With the new expedited deportation mandate now active, the consequences of a compliance check are both immediate and severe.
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment — real questions from people navigating the same rules. Comments are moderated.