What's changing in Thailand
Headlines on Thai visas, immigration and entry rules — curated and checked by our partner ExpatsThai. Always confirm current rules with official sources before acting.
Cabinet Approves End of 60-Day Visa-Free Stay May 19, New Tier Sets 54 Countries to 30 Days and Awaits Royal Gazette
Cabinet signed off on the 60-day visa-free cancellation May 19. New tier: 54 countries get 30 days, 3 get 15, 4 drop to visa-on-arrival, 36 lose visa-free entry. Not yet effective; Royal Gazette pending.
Read on ExpatsThaiDeputy PM Pakorn Nilprapunt Leads Full Visa-Category Review, BOI Investment and Student Visas Named in Working Group Scope
The 60-day cut is not the only review underway. Deputy PM Pakorn Nilprapunt's working group is reconsidering every visa category Thailand issues, with BOI and student visas explicitly named, and DTV, LTR, retirement implied.
Read on ExpatsThaiRoyal Gazette Publishes Eight New Alcohol-Zone Bans Effective May 12, Trains, Piers, and Transport Stations All Off Limits
Eight new alcohol-control regulations took effect May 12 covering trains, piers, transport stations, government premises, and roads. Sale and consumption both banned in the new zones.
Read on ExpatsThaiDSI Probes 34 Nominee Firms on Samui and Phangan, Phuket Charges 33 Foreigners, Anutin Orders Officials Investigation in Three-Day Sweep
Department of Special Investigation opened probes May 12 across Samui/Phangan; Phuket police charged 33 foreigners May 13; Anutin ordered Thai-official complicity probe May 14.
Read on ExpatsThaiForeign Ministry Files Cabinet Proposal May 12 to Halve Visa-Free Stay From 60 Days to 30 for All 93 Eligible Countries
Sihasak confirmed the formal Cabinet filing May 12; Anutin paired the move with a working group reviewing DTV, LTR, investment and student visa criteria. Enforcement targeted for early June.
Read on ExpatsThaiKoh Phangan Israeli-School Raid Triggers Nationwide Foreign-Worker Permit Blitz Within Three Days
Joint May 1 raid found 89 Israeli children at a facility licensed for 18 Thai under-fives, nine arrests including two Iranian operators, and Labour Minister Julapun ordered nationwide work-permit inspections by May 4.
Read on ExpatsThaiThailand's E-Work Permit Becomes Fully Mandatory April 28, Paper Submissions End
Thailand's Department of Employment confirmed the grace period for paper work permit applications ends April 28, 2026. All filings, including BOI and provincial, must now go through the e-Work Permit platform.
Read on ExpatsThaiThailand Cabinet Set to Cut Visa-Free Country List From 93 to 57 to 36 Nationalities to Lose Free Entry
Tourism Minister Surasak finalised a proposal April 27 cutting the visa-free entry list back to 57 countries, reversing the 2024 expansion to 93. Cabinet ratification expected within weeks.
Read on ExpatsThaiRoyal Thai Embassy Confirms Visa Fee Hikes Effective April 27, DTV Up 50%, LTR Up Sharply
Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi published revised consular fees taking effect April 27, with similar hikes signalled globally. LTR jumps to ฿55,000, DTV to ฿11,800, SMART up to ฿47,000.
Read on ExpatsThaiAirport Departure Tax to Jump 53% to ฿1,120, Tourist Levy Confirmed Bundled with Mandatory Insurance
New Tourism Minister Surasak confirms 300-baht arrival levy will be bundled with mandatory travel insurance via the ETA system, plus airport departure tax rises from ฿730 to ฿1,120, a 53% hike.
Read on ExpatsThaiDTV Rejections Spike Without Explanation, Long-Stay Expats Stranded as Embassies Quietly Tighten Rules
Bangkok Post documents a surge in unexplained Destination Thailand Visa refusals. Embassies now demand 500K THB held for 3 continuous months, reject Thai language schools, and can refuse without refund.
Read on ExpatsThaiThailand Medical Inflation Forecast at 10.8% for 2026, Highest in Asia-Pacific Region
Pacific Prime industry analysis warns Thai medical costs to rise 10.8% in 2026, outpacing Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore. Expat insurers (Cigna, Pacific Cross, AIA, AXA, BUPA) already adjusting premiums.
Read on ExpatsThaiFeed updated 24 May 2026.