- Thailand revoked visas for 13 foreign tourists in Koh Phangan under stricter enforcement
- Government targeting public disorder, cultural disrespect and illegal employment
- Visa-free entry for over 90 countries cut from 60 days to 30 days
- Enforcement follows public concerns about tourist behaviour on social media
- Thailand aims to protect tourism image while remaining open to legitimate visitors
Thailand has deicided to actively revoke tourist visas and deported foreign visitors who violate local laws, disrespect the culture or cause public disruptions.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has announced that the government will coordinate swiftly with immigration agencies to ensure the country is not treated as a “playground”. Authorities have already revoked visas for 13 foreign tourists in Koh Phangan under the stricter enforcement guidelines.
The enforcement targets specific behaviours including late-night street brawls, public indecency, property damage, acts of vandalism against local landmarks and abusive behaviour toward residents. The government has also responded to political activism, including a high-profile flag dispute on Koh Samui, and has moved against illegal employment, visa overstays and drug offenses. The focus remains on individual behaviour across destinations including Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Phuket rather than any specific nationality.
The stricter enforcement follows a broader crackdown initiated earlier in 2026, with the government slashing visa-free entry durations for over 90 countries from 60 days to 30 days. The change specifically targets long-staying individuals who abuse the system to work illegally or engage in criminal activity. Tourism operators have noted that most tourists do not stay for extended periods, suggesting the impact on legitimate visitors will be limited, while the measure has received public support from Thai citizens concerned about tourist behaviour.
Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul shared Thailand will not tolerate visitors who treat the country as a playground and will coordinate with immigration to remove those who break the law.
A Tourism Authority of Thailand rwritten statement shared the measures aim to filter out individuals who abuse the system while welcoming genuine tourists who respect local culture.
