Thai Government Enforces New Deportation Regulations to Expedite Foreign Offender Removals Within 30 Days

Brickinfo News Agency – The Thai government has officially enacted the Prime Minister's Office Regulation on Deportation B.E. 2569, which took effect on August 28, 2026, establishing streamlined inter-agency procedures to process and deport foreign offenders within 30 days.

Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek stated that while existing deportation laws were already in place, the new framework provides clear operating guidelines and inter-agency coordination mechanisms to resolve procedural delays and enhance operational efficiency across relevant state authorities.

The newly enacted regulation outlines six specific grounds for foreign deportation: entering or staying in the country unlawfully; working in violation of foreign employment laws; operating businesses in breach of the Foreign Business Act; forging or using forged official documents; committing criminal offenses punishable by three or more years of imprisonment; and acting as a principal, instigator, or supporter in any of these offenses.

Following directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, integrated enforcement efforts have been initiated among key agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, the Royal Thai Police, the Immigration Bureau, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. These entities will share data and coordinate legal actions against foreign lawbreakers and disruptive tourists, covering all stages from behavioral screening and judicial prosecution to deportation procedures.

Under the updated framework, authorities will coordinate offender data prior to prison release to prevent prolonged detention. Once a deportation order is issued, the deportation process must be completed within 30 days. In cases where the deportee lacks travel funds, state budget allocations may be utilized under Ministry of Interior regulations approved by the Ministry of Finance, thereby reducing state detention expenditures for food, medical care, and facilities.