Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has revealed the results of its proactive enforcement campaign, reporting that 29,490 foreign nationals were denied entry, during the first five months of 2026 under its “Three No’s” strategy aimed at tackling transnational crime and preventing foreign offenders from operating in the country.

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On 4 June 2026, Pol Maj Gen Cherngron Rimphadee, deputy commissioner and spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau, said National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet had ordered a nationwide crackdown on transnational criminal networks and foreigners posing as tourists who may threaten Thailand’s security, economy and society.

Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak said all immigration divisions nationwide had been enforcing the policy since the start of 2026 through the “Three No’s” approach: no entry, no stay, and no escape.

The first measure, “No Entry”, focuses on preventing unwanted individuals from entering Thailand. Authorities use the Advance Passenger Processing System (APPS) to block foreign nationals listed on Thailand’s blacklist, including those previously imprisoned in the country and individuals subject to Interpol notices. The blacklist currently contains 169,506 names, preventing those individuals from boarding flights to Thailand, while anyone attempting to enter through land border checkpoints is refused entry.

Immigration officers have also increased scrutiny of travellers entering under visa-free schemes. Those interviewed and found to display behaviour suggesting they intended to work illegally or may have links to scam operations relocating from neighbouring countries were denied entry. Between January and May 2026, a total of 29,490 people were refused entry under this measure.

The second measure, “No Stay”, targets foreigners who violate the conditions of their visas. Authorities have revoked visas for individuals who entered legally but engaged in activities inconsistent with their visa category, particularly student visa holders not undertaking genuine studies. From 1 January to May 2026, 668 people were denied permission to remain and were deported.

Immigration authorities have also conducted nationwide inspections and enforcement operations against foreign offenders. Between 1 January and April 2026, a total of 14,161 foreign nationals were arrested for various offences.

The final measure, “No Escape”, involves intelligence gathering and cooperation with local police forces. Between January and May 2026, immigration officers identified 190 foreign-related targets in communities considered at risk of affecting public order, particularly in major tourist destinations.

The targets included 147 in Chonburi, two in Mae Hong Son, nine in Chiang Mai, 22 in Surat Thani and 10 in Phuket. Searches have so far resulted in 31 arrests, while investigations into the remaining targets continue.

Khaosod reported that authorities said immigration and police units will continue monitoring high-risk individuals and communities as part of ongoing efforts to prevent criminal activity and strengthen enforcement across Thailand.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 5 June 2026

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Reading this, I thought it was a large number of people being denied entry.

However, it would seem it is not a big number by international standards.

While this is about 5,900 refusals per month, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency the EU typically refuses 10,000–11,000 people per month at its external borders.

The UK’s monthly refusal rate is slightly lower than Thailand’s, at around 4,000–5,000 based on the final Home Office “Passengers Refused Entry” releases.

And it probably comes as no surprise that the United States refuses entry to 20,000–30,000 people per month, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s monthly OFO Inadmissibles data.

Off topic troll post removed @Bagwain

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Between January and May 2026, a total of 29,490 people were refused entry under this measure.

it looks like a really large number. therefore it would be interesting to know the reasons for refusing entry, and which nationalities were involved ...

I have heard stories of farangs getting Thai language student visas only to be randomly tested months later by immigration officers and couldn't speak Thai !!!

3 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Reading this, I thought it was a large number of people being denied entry.

However, it would seem it is not a big number by international standards.

While this is about 5,900 refusals per month, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency the EU typically refuses 10,000–11,000 people per month at its external borders.

The UK’s monthly refusal rate is slightly lower than Thailand’s, at around 4,000–5,000 based on the final Home Office “Passengers Refused Entry” releases.

And it probably comes as no surprise that the United States refuses entry to 20,000–30,000 people per month, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s monthly OFO Inadmissibles data.

Yeah, that might be. However, it´s an interesting number. They deny almost 30k people in 5 months and still, we have so many idiots here. That´s kind of amazing. 🤣

5 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I have heard stories of farangs getting Thai language student visas only to be randomly tested months later by immigration officers and couldn't speak Thai !!!

Been in Thailand 21 years, still have problems.

15 years on Koh Samui so speak Tai.

My Thai son 15 years old born on Samui, when he visit me in Pattaya he's asked to speak English.

Thai language is very different where you come from.

I'm originally from Scandinavia, most Swedish don't understand Danish, same situation

16 hours ago, motdaeng said:

it looks like a really large number. therefore it would be interesting to know the reasons for refusing entry, and which nationalities were involved ...

The reasons are detailed in the OP.

16 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I have heard stories of farangs getting Thai language student visas only to be randomly tested months later by immigration officers and couldn't speak Thai !!!

Those reports are true.

Great its a start to improve the quality of foreigners in the country. Long may it continue.

On 6/5/2026 at 5:41 AM, motdaeng said:

it looks like a really large number. therefore it would be interesting to know the reasons for refusing entry, and which nationalities were involved ...

I wonder how many are Myanmar and Cambodian workers refused entry or deported for working illegally. Some of those could be quite large groups.

Edited June 6Jun 6 by wensiensheng

So, during the same period of time...how many foreign nationals were admitted?

Looks like a really big number.

When talking about large numbers, it is better to talk about percentages

International travelers to Thailand in 2025 was about 33 million people with a population of 66 million (wow)

29,490 out of 33 million tourists is about 0.09%. A drop of water in a pool.

What percentage of foreigners are being turned away on arrival?

What percentage are from neighboring countries seeking work or possible scams?

What percentage are from visa farms - language schools or muy thai schools not requiring attendance to renew visa? (Crack down on schools?)

Edited June 6Jun 6 by KruBrian
Add details on percentage

On 6/4/2026 at 7:05 PM, Gottfrid said:

it´s an interesting number. They deny almost 30k people in 5 months and still, we have so many idiots here. That´s kind of amazing. 🤣

As far as I know, being an idiot is not a criminal offence. (Needless to say, it should be.)

Can we have figures for previous years?

Most of us (I would guess) are familiar with the two 'no' rule:

No money no honey

******

Guy on ed visa to learn Thai couldn't speak Thai?

Maybe on same level as University English majors that can't speak a lick of English....

Immigration Prevents Entry to 29,490 Foreigners in 2026

As a standalone statement this headline attracts attention until you consider the probable source of this large number. Thailand shares borders with 4 countries with lessor economies and/or freedoms and lower standards of living. Two of those countries are war torn basket cases with thousands of refugees crossing porous borders. And of course, the Chinese criminal, and other, scammers enter though Thailand's airports in large numbers. Additionally, there is a huge, not all legal, migrant workforce in this country.

For me this overall figure can distort opinions about the size and type of the problem. As an expat I would like to see the figure broken into categories to give a clearer picture of how many normal tourists and long stay non-immigrants are being refused, and for what reasons.

1 hour ago, Leopold Bloom said:

As far as I know, being an idiot is not a criminal offence. (Needless to say, it should be.)

Like you say, unfortunately!

On 6/5/2026 at 12:06 AM, Jim Waldron said:

Reading this, I thought it was a large number of people being denied entry.

However, it would seem it is not a big number by international standards.

While this is about 5,900 refusals per month, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency the EU typically refuses 10,000–11,000 people per month at its external borders.

The UK’s monthly refusal rate is slightly lower than Thailand’s, at around 4,000–5,000 based on the final Home Office “Passengers Refused Entry” releases.

And it probably comes as no surprise that the United States refuses entry to 20,000–30,000 people per month, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s monthly OFO Inadmissibles data.

You are comparing apples to pears. Funny comparison. You compare 1 country vs. The whole of the European Union, or the U.S.A which is also a much bigger country.

On 6/5/2026 at 12:08 AM, georgegeorgia said:

I have heard stories of farangs getting Thai language student visas only to be randomly tested months later by immigration officers and couldn't speak Thai !!!

Rather a case of "not thinking ahead" wouldn't you say?

IMO, bit like people who signed those dodgy leases offering 30 +30 years. Now the first 30 years is up what are the T&Cs, especially surrounding payments!

9 hours ago, KruBrian said:

Looks like a really big number.

When talking about large numbers, it is better to talk about percentages

International travelers to Thailand in 2025 was about 33 million people with a population of 66 million (wow)

29,490 out of 33 million tourists is about 0.09%. A drop of water in a pool.

What percentage of foreigners are being turned away on arrival?

What percentage are from neighboring countries seeking work or possible scams?

What percentage are from visa farms - language schools or muy thai schools not requiring attendance to renew visa? (Crack down on schools?)

AFAIK the language and Muay Thai schools are churning out education visa applications by the score. And the recipients are unlikely to be deported because they have a valid visa. Only the moronic few who cause trouble are in danger of that.

After all, it seems like a lot of farang cause trouble because they get publicized, but in reality a lot don’t cause any trouble.

On 6/5/2026 at 3:05 AM, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, that might be. However, it´s an interesting number. They deny almost 30k people in 5 months and still, we have so many idiots here. That´s kind of amazing. 🤣

Apart from those that show their idiocy on planes, most idiots manage to hide their idiocy until they're through immigration.

Once their bags are down in some hotel room though, the idiocy starts to manifest itself.

With many, idiotic symptoms appear within hours: drunk or dazed and confused due to a combination of substances, the results are well known. Motorbike crashes, fights, thefts, wanton destruction.

Police and immigration should have little difficulty deporting the idiots that survive these initial symptoms.

Harder to deal with, and sadder for all concerned, are those whose idiocy takes time to reveal itself, and indeed, harms no one but themselves.

Symptoms here are usually brushed off by the victim until it's too late.

The idiot hands over increasingly large sums of money to an almost total stranger of the opposite sex, or one of indeterminate sex, or even one of the same sex, in the mistaken belief that money can buy love, and anyway, the almost stranger told them they were the only one, and they loved them too mut.

However the good news is that doctors, psychiatrists, and even a soil dog can cure this idiocy with a few simple words:

Never settle down with a lady from a foreign land until you have met her family and friends many times and feel you know them well.

Great, if you can't behave, GET OUT.

12 May 2026 132 600 people refused entry in the EU, up by 7.1%

Source:

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260512-1

Certainly it is accepted that we can΄΄t compare E.U States with 451 million people across its 27 member states and Thailand with 75 million people.

Germany turbo naturalizations of immigrants and after the deportation law

Source:

https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/migration-union-stellt-einbuergerungsrecht-infrage/100230244.html

Finally I congratulate Thai Immigration for their promptly response against illegal migrants "tourist".

WE SERVE AND PROTECT!

If those on Thai language ED Visas are to be verbally tested by immigration officers, will those on Thai cookery Visas be asked to whip up a quick som tam and those on Muay Thai have to give them a good roundhouse kick?

That's not a high number at all comparing to other countries.

If they are promoting this as something good, it does make you shudder how many they were denying before?

On 6/5/2026 at 9:05 AM, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, that might be. However, it´s an interesting number. They deny almost 30k people in 5 months and still, we have so many idiots here. That´s kind of amazing. 🤣

I couldn’t agree more! So much so, I think at times this should be called PattayaNow because of all the idiotic things I see foreigners doing there. Not dogging Pattaya, but it sure attracts its greater fair share of those idiots you stated!