Thailand's Government Regulation on Deportation of Foreign Nationals B.E. 2569 (2026) came into effect on 28 August 2026, one day after its publication in the Royal Gazette. The regulation streamlines how Thai authorities enforce deportation against foreign nationals who violate Thai law or whose conduct is considered contrary to public order, public morality, or public safety. Here is what it says, who it covers, and — honestly — what it does and does not change for Thailand Privilege members and other long-stay residents.
Quick facts
- What: Government Regulation on Deportation of Foreign Nationals B.E. 2569 (2026)
- Published: Royal Gazette, 27 August 2026 · In effect: 28 August 2026
- Signed by: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
- Purpose: faster, more coordinated enforcement of deportation measures — not a new set of offences
- Covers: immigration, foreign-employment, and foreign-business violations; document forgery; offences carrying 5+ years' imprisonment; and conduct against public order, morality, or safety
- For compliant residents: no change to daily life, visa terms, or renewal procedures
What is the new deportation regulation?
The Government Regulation on Deportation of Foreign Nationals B.E. 2569 (2026) — reported in the Thai press simply as Thailand's "new deportation rules" — is an enforcement framework rather than a new criminal code. Signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, it was published in the Royal Gazette on 27 August 2026 and took effect the next day, 28 August 2026. Thailand's underlying deportation law, the Deportation Act B.E. 2499 (1956), is decades old; what the new regulation does — based on the published summaries and the official notice Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. circulated to members — is set out clearer procedures so that deportation of foreign nationals who violate Thai law can be carried out more efficiently and effectively.
The regulation also requires authorities to take into account applicable laws, Cabinet resolutions, and Thailand's international obligations — including relevant human rights principles — when carrying out deportations. In general, a deported person is returned to their country of nationality or, where nationality cannot be established, to the country where they last resided before entering Thailand.
What changed compared with the previous process?
Three procedural changes stand out. None of them creates a new offence; each shortens the distance between a violation and an enforceable deportation order.
- Immediate deportation after release from prison. For foreign nationals who have been finally convicted and released, the Minister of Interior may order deportation immediately, rather than after a separate process begins post-release.
- Inter-agency coordination before release. The regulation sets out procedures between the Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Interior so that a deportation order can be considered before a foreign prisoner's release date — closing the gap where released offenders previously remained in the country while paperwork caught up.
- Re-entry prohibition written into the order. A deportation order may include a specified period during which the deported person is prohibited from re-entering Thailand. The length is set case by case in the order itself.
Who can be deported under the new rules?
According to the official notice, deportation measures may apply to foreign nationals who, among other circumstances:
- Enter or remain in Thailand in violation of immigration laws
- Work in Thailand in violation of the laws governing foreign employment
- Conduct business in violation of the laws governing foreign business operations
- Forge or use forged official documents
- Commit an offence punishable by imprisonment of five years or more
- Act as a principal, instigator, or supporter in offences falling under the above categories
The regulation also covers conduct considered contrary to public order, public morality, or public safety. That ground has long existed in Thai law; what is new is the clearer procedural path behind it.
Does this change anything for Thailand Privilege members?
For members who comply with Thai law, nothing about daily life changes. The regulation does not alter visa terms, membership validity, the annual stamp process, 90-day reporting, or any other routine obligation.
Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.'s notice to members closes by encouraging members to ensure continued compliance with Thai immigration, employment, business, and other applicable laws throughout their stay in Thailand. For a plain summary of what a Privilege membership does and does not cover on the work side, see our guide to working on a Privilege Visa.
What we can — and cannot — help with
Our scope
Daimaru Trading is the authorized agent for the Thailand Privilege Visa — the 5-to-20-year membership program. Our phone, WhatsApp, and LINE lines handle Privilege membership inquiries only.
We cannot assist with: deportation cases, detention, appeals against enforcement action, or any active immigration proceeding. Those require a licensed Thai lawyer. For general immigration questions, contact the Thai Immigration Bureau — hotline 1178 (within Thailand) or immigration.go.th.
One honest note for prospective applicants: the Privilege application includes a background check by Thai authorities, and a criminal record or deportation history can affect eligibility. If that applies to you, mention it up front — we will give you a frank assessment before you commit to anything.
Phone (Bangkok): +66 65-156-1561 · Email: info@thailandelite.net
WhatsApp: Message us on WhatsApp · LINE: @thailandeliteinfo
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Thailand's new deportation regulation take effect?
The Government Regulation on Deportation of Foreign Nationals B.E. 2569 (2026) was published in the Royal Gazette on 27 August 2026 and came into effect the following day, 28 August 2026.
Who can be deported under Thailand's 2026 deportation regulation?
Foreign nationals who, among other circumstances: enter or remain in Thailand in violation of immigration law; work in violation of foreign-employment law; conduct business in violation of foreign-business law; forge or use forged official documents; commit an offence punishable by five years' imprisonment or more; or act as a principal, instigator, or supporter in those offences. Conduct considered contrary to public order, public morality, or public safety is also covered.
Does the Thailand Privilege Visa protect against deportation?
No — no visa category does. The Thailand Privilege Visa grants long-term legal residency, but it does not exempt the holder from Thai law. A member who works without a permit, operates a business in violation of foreign-business law, or commits a serious offence faces the same deportation framework as any other foreign national. For members who comply with immigration, employment, and business law, the new regulation changes nothing about daily life in Thailand.
Can a deported person return to Thailand?
Not necessarily. A deportation order under the new regulation may include a specified period during which the person is prohibited from re-entering Thailand. The length of any re-entry prohibition is set case by case in the order itself. Deported persons are generally returned to their country of nationality, or, where nationality cannot be established, to the country where they last resided before entering Thailand.
Thailand's new deportation regulation, in effect since 28 August 2026, streamlines enforcement procedures against foreign nationals who violate immigration, employment, or business law, forge documents, or commit serious offences — including immediate deportation after release from prison and case-by-case re-entry bans. It creates no new obligations for compliant residents, and nothing changes for Thailand Privilege members who comply with Thai law.
Sources
- Official member notice — Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (circulated to members, September 2026)
- Bangkok Post — Deportation regulation takes effect, targets lawbreaking foreigners
- The Nation — Deportation rules signed, effective August 28
- Khaosod English — Thailand's new deportation rules put 'undesirable' foreigners on notice
- Full regulation text: Royal Thai Government Gazette (ratchakitcha.soc.go.th) and the Government Public Relations Department