Thai Immigration Bureau enforces "Three No's" policy against transnational crime

Thailand's Immigration Bureau has intensified enforcement against foreign nationals accused of exploiting the country's tourism and visa frameworks, with nearly 30,000 individuals denied entry and more than 14,000 arrested in the first five months of 2026.

The bureau's Deputy Commissioner and Spokesperson, Police Major General Cherngron Rimphadee, announced the figures on 4 June 2026, outlining enforcement actions taken since the beginning of the year under a three-pronged framework known as the "Three No's": No Entry, No Stay, and No Escape.

The initiative was directed by Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalug, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, in accordance with a broader national policy set by Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police.

No Entry

The first pillar focuses on preventing at-risk individuals from entering Thailand before they reach the border.

Thailand's Advance Passenger Processing System (APPS) currently maintains a blacklist of 169,506 individuals, including foreign nationals previously imprisoned in Thailand and those subject to INTERPOL notices. Airlines are required to deny boarding to blacklisted individuals at their departure points, and those attempting to enter through land border checkpoints are refused entry.

Immigration officers nationwide have also stepped up in-person screening of foreign nationals arriving under visa exemption schemes. Individuals exhibiting behaviour consistent with illegal employment or suspected involvement with scam syndicates relocating from neighbouring countries are turned away at the point of entry.

From January to May 2026, a total of 29,490 foreign nationals were refused entry into Thailand under this measure.

No Stay

The second pillar targets foreign nationals already in Thailand who are engaged in activities inconsistent with the terms of their visas.

Authorities have focused particularly on holders of student visas who are not genuinely enrolled in or attending academic programmes. From 1 January to May 2026, 668 foreign nationals had their permission to stay revoked and were subsequently deported.

In parallel, nationwide inspection and enforcement operations have led to the arrest of 14,161 foreign nationals for immigration and related violations between 1 January and April 2026.

No Escape

The third pillar involves intelligence-led operations targeting foreign national communities identified as potential threats to public order, even where residents hold valid visas.

All immigration offices have been instructed to build target profiles and coordinate with local police units for joint inspections. From January to May 2026, authorities identified 190 high-risk targets, primarily in provinces with large foreign communities and major tourist centres.

Chonburi — which includes the coastal city of Pattaya — accounted for the largest share, with 147 targets identified by Chonburi Immigration. Surat Thani Immigration identified 22 targets, Chiang Mai Immigration nine, Phuket Immigration ten, and Mae Hong Son Immigration two.

Raids conducted at identified locations resulted in the arrest of more than 31 individuals. Investigations into the remaining targets are described as ongoing.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron stated that Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas has directed all immigration commanders under his supervision to maintain these measures on a continuing basis, with performance subject to close monitoring and evaluation.

The bureau gave no breakdown of the nationalities of those denied entry, arrested, or deported, nor did it specify the types of transnational criminal activity attributed to those targeted under the intelligence-led operations.

Thailand has not enacted standalone legislation specifically criminalising participation in online scam operations, though authorities have pursued prosecutions under existing laws covering fraud, illegal employment, and immigration violations.