Crackdown on Unruly Tourists Ordered Across Thailand

Very nice...but are there all that many tourists wanting to come now to Thailand ? I mean the quality tourists and the quality retirees ? Not really I would say.

On 5/10/2026 at 5:41 AM, Georgealbert said:

Thailand’s Interior Ministry has ordered provincial authorities nationwide to take firm action against unruly foreign tourists, warning that offenders could face visa revocation and immediate deportation. The move follows reports of foreign visitors breaking laws, intimidating local residents and misusing tourist visas in several provinces.

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Interior permanent secretary Arsit Sampantharat, while supporting duties linked to the 48th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, stated that inappropriate tourist behaviour had damaged Thailand’s tourism image and caused concern among residents. He said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had instructed administrative officials, security agencies and tourism authorities to improve understanding of Thai culture and local ways of life among visitors and tourism operators.

Anutin also ordered provincial governors and provincial police commanders nationwide to direct local officials, police and related agencies to strictly enforce the law and strengthen preventive measures against illegal activities. Arsit said any legal violation must be dealt with decisively and without exception.

“Everything is already governed by law. No one can break the law, whether Thai or foreign,” Arsit said. He added that foreigners entering Thailand could not act as influential figures, carry out illegal activities, bully local people or behave against Thailand’s morals, culture or traditions.

The ministry’s warning comes amid increased scrutiny of foreign residents and businesses in popular tourist destinations. Reports from Surat Thani said Governor Chumphote Wannachatsiri had taken action in cases involving Israelis staying long term on Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Koh Tao.

Some individuals were reportedly using tourist visas to work, while others faced accusations of inappropriate behaviour or activities. Authorities are also investigating suspected nominee-style businesses, in cooperation with security agencies, immigration police and the provincial employment office.

In Phuket, Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn said authorities had worked with administrative and security officials, along with local business operators, to improve communication with tourists. The province has adopted a zero tolerance approach, with strict enforcement measures against offenders.

Officials said those found committing serious offences could immediately lose their right to remain in Thailand. Drivers caught operating vehicles without a valid licence would also be sent directly to court without exception.

The Nation reported that Nirat stressed that Phuket remained open to tourism, but visitors must respect local culture and the rights of residents. Authorities across Thailand are expected to continue monitoring tourist behaviour closely and coordinating enforcement efforts in the coming months.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 10 May 2026

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“Everything is already governed by law. No one can break the law, whether Thai or foreign,”

Whaha, so funny!

I think what is bad for Thailand's image is the 24,000 deaths on Thai roads every year, the tens of millions of Thai road users who ignore all the laws and allowed to get away with doing as they please as the laws are not enforced, then when one or two farangs behave badly they are said to be the bad lot.

How about keeping Thai motorbike riders from using the pavement when the roads are blocked with traffic, having to dodge them while walking creates a negative view to tourists not the one or two negative events per million-visits the tourists make which are shown on on FaceBook etc.

But the elephant in the room really is the bigger negative affect to Thailand is created by the open girly bars, the prostitutes working openly on the streets in the tourist areas, they are what creates the largest negative view of Thailand.

True most tourists know those bars are only in a few areas, but they do create a negative view to the vast number of tourists which visit every year and do not use those services.

They are breaking the law and nothing is really done about it, they need to clean up their own back yard before blaming the tourists for creating negative views of the country.

16 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

No need to be on the street in seedy Soi Bangla Phuket nor walking street Pattaya, F that. What rubbish.

Bangkok has some of the best dining/night clubs in the world. After a few days of that fly into Krabi, off to Lanta, boat transfers islands south of there daily.

Phuket is ⅓ the size of Greater London, it is massive, it too has thousand of restaurants and non-girly bars, if people choose to go the the very small girly bar areas compared to the rest of Phuket that says more about them than the real Phuket, I have lived in Phuket for four years, not a single girly bar in site in my and most other areas, many of the local restaurants are for Thais, when I see a farang I look twice as they are in a very tiny majority outside of the tourist areas.

Lots of island to visit from here too, most tourists do not go anywhere near Soi Bangla, they are in the many other family resort areas instead.

About time for the crackdown.

20 hours ago, Xonax said:

Thailand invited the riff-raff and got it, but now they are still not happy!

Yes, that is pretty much it!

"I see a farang I look twice as they are in a very tiny majority outside of the tourist areas." -Jamesphuket10

Nonsense.

Brother, the whole island is a tourist area unless you are eating at Thai stalls in Saphan Hin.

"most tourists do not go anywhere near Soi Bangla, they are in the many other family resort areas instead."-Jamesphuket10

Family resort areas, yep show up with wife and kids, doubt you are staying near Bangla.

Just outside your gated community in Kathu, no girly bars, understood, but to say you look at a foreigner twice because they aren't usually where you are is laughable bro, really. 🤣 Wine Connection Central, I'm the only farang, hahahahaha

Maybe instead of Tarnishing all Tourists with the same brush identify who is commonly the most troublesome and identify them nationally.

On 5/11/2026 at 4:17 AM, Letseng said:

Israelis have an easy to hear accent. 😉

OK, but the person making the claim did not hear the person speak. Try again.

Besides, I doubt very much that the person who made the false claim can differentiate between an Israeli accent and others.