Thailand's Cabinet on 14 July approved a draft Prime Minister's Office regulation establishing formal procedures for deporting foreigners from the country. Get today's headlines by email The proposed rules are intended to speed up the removal of foreign nationals who have entered or remained in Thailand illegally, broken foreign-worker or foreign-business laws, or committed specified criminal offences. Government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said the move follows a Cabinet meeting on 16 June 2026, when Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt was assigned to coordinate relevant agencies on changes to immigration-related laws, regulations and rules. The aim was to make the process of returning foreign offenders and people who entered Thailand unlawfully quicker. Six grounds for deportation The draft regulation, proposed by Pakorn, identifies six categories in which a foreigner may be deported when necessary for public order and public morality. They are illegal entry into or residence in Thailand; working unlawfully under foreign-worker legislation; and conducting business unlawfully under foreign-business legislation. The other grounds are forging official documents or using forged official documents; committing an offence carrying a prison term of three years or more; and acting as a principal, instigator or supporter in any of the first five categories. The government said Thailand currently has no formal administrative regulation specifically governing deportation procedures, despite the need for close cooperation between state agencies. The new framework is intended to make administration of deportations faster and more effective. For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the proposal reinforces the importance of keeping immigration permission, work authorisation and business arrangements in order. It is aimed at illegal entry, unlawful work or business activity, document fraud and serious criminal matters, rather than setting out new conditions for ordinary tourists, retirees or other legally resident foreigners. Prison releases and return arrangements Under the draft, the director-general of the Department of Corrections must notify the permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, or a delegated official, of a foreign prisoner's name, nationality, case file and relevant evidence or information before that person is released from prison. The permanent secretary, or delegate, must then report to the interior minister for consideration of a deportation order without delay. The Interior Ministry would be responsible for returning a person subject to deportation to their country of nationality. Where nationality is uncertain, the person would be sent to the country where they said they last lived before entering Thailand. The regulation also covers cases in which another country where the person has no nationality, or an international organisation, makes a request through diplomatic channels. Such a request must state that the requesting party will accept all costs of caring for the deportee before transfer and the costs of removal, and the person facing deportation must give written consent. Picture courtesy of Amarin Join the discussion? 15 July 2026
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