Tabun Management Maerim

22/10/2026

Thailand is stepping up its crackdown on foreigners suspected of illegally controlling land through Thai nominees, with authorities considering forced sales of thousands of plots worth more than 14 billion baht.

The government has identified 2,360 land plots linked to 1,397 suspected nominee companies, covering approximately 5,467 rai across the country. Authorities say they will pursue compulsory land sales in cases found to be illegal, alongside possible civil and criminal action.

Phuket is among the areas under scrutiny as concerns grow over foreign control of property in popular tourism destinations.

Thai law generally prohibits foreigners from directly owning land, although certain exceptions apply. Officials say the investigation will look beyond registered shareholders to identify the people who actually control the properties.

The government says legitimate foreign investment remains welcome, but businesses and property owners must follow Thai law.

21/10/2026

In 2019, Thailand welcomed 39.8 million foreign tourists. A record. The country was aiming for 40 million and beyond.

In 2026, it will be lucky to reach 30 million.

That’s around 10 million visitors who simply stopped coming.

By 10 October this year, Thailand had recorded 23.94 million foreign arrivals. That’s down 4% on 2025, which was itself already down on 2024. The Tourism Authority has quietly cut its target from 36.7 million to somewhere between 30 and 34 million.

The biggest hole is China. In 2019, 11 million Chinese tourists came to Thailand. This year, 4.08 million so far. On current pace, fewer than half.

The money tells the same story. In 2019, foreign tourists spent 1.93 trillion baht in Thailand. This year, 1.165 trillion baht by mid-October, also falling.

Even Britain has slipped. Nearly 1 million UK visitors in 2019. About 750,000 so far this year.

Meanwhile, neighbours are moving. Vietnam’s arrivals are up almost 14% over the same period.

And Thailand is now debating new costs for visitors: a 1,000 baht departure tax, a planned 450 baht entry fee, and a visa-free stay cut from 60 to 30 days in September.

Last week, a former head of the Tourism Authority said publicly that tourism can no longer carry the Thai economy on its own.

For a country where millions of jobs depend on visitors, from tuk-tuk drivers to island hotels, these are not just numbers.

Have you noticed fewer tourists in Thailand, or are you spending your holidays somewhere else now?

20/10/2026

20/10/2026

13/10/2026

Thailand has explained four key requirements for foreigners seeking a residence permit. The fees and processing time were also explained. Details in comments.

Photo: Getty Images

13/10/2026

Is Thailand turning against foreigners? Look at the last three months, and you can see why people are asking.

15 September: the visa-free stay for 60 countries, including the US, UK and Australia, was cut from 60 days to 30. Land-border entries are now generally capped at two a year.

28 August: a new regulation made it easier to deport foreigners, including for “disrespecting Thai culture” or “conduct contrary to public morality.” The first deportations followed within weeks.

A 450 baht entry fee for foreign tourists is moving forward.

A draft 1,000 baht departure tax, charged every time anyone flies out, is now under public consultation.

Around 2,200 companies face possible forced land sales in a nationwide crackdown on foreign nominee ownership, with more than 11,000 under scrutiny.

The Prime Minister, discussing foreigners seeking private cemeteries, told them: “If you’re going to die, go die back home.”

And now: Bangkok’s new 45 baht train fare cap, coming in January, will apply to Thai citizens only.

Seen together, it’s a striking list.

But there’s another way to read it. The visa cuts target people using tourist entry to work illegally or run scams. Nominee ownership was always illegal; it’s simply being enforced. The fare cap is paid for by Thai taxpayers. And the same government is courting wealthy long-stay foreigners with 10-year visas, while the Prime Minister himself said foreigners who earn an honest living are welcome to stay.

Thailand isn’t closing its doors. It’s choosing much more carefully who walks through them, and on what terms.

Whether that feels fair probably depends on which side of the line you’re standing on.

Expats and travellers: has any of this changed how you feel about Thailand?