थायलंड

Passport validity requirements

To enter Thailand, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least 1 blank page.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

If you’re a dual national, it is best to leave Thailand on the same passport you used to enter – this will avoid problems at immigration.

Visa requirements

From 15 September 2026, if you enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme, you can stay for up to 30 days for tourism only. Visa-exempt entry does not cover business travel, including attending conferences, meetings or other business activities. If you are travelling for business purposes, you should obtain the appropriate visa before you travel.

Visa-exempt entry for tourism is normally limited to two entries per calendar year. If you have already entered Thailand under the visa exemption scheme twice in the same year, you may need to obtain a visa before travelling.

If you entered Thailand before 15 September 2026, you will usually be allowed to stay for the period granted when you arrived. If you want to stay longer, you must get the appropriate visa before you travel or, if eligible, apply for an extension through the Thai immigration authorities.

You may be asked to show that you meet the entry requirements. This could include proof that you have enough money for your stay (at least 10,000 Thai baht per person or 20,000 Thai baht per family) and evidence of onward or return travel. British nationals have been refused entry for failing to provide this evidence.

If you overstay your permission to stay in Thailand, you could be fined, detained, deported or banned from re-entering the country. Make sure you understand the conditions of your stay and get any visa extension you need before your permission expires.

If you plan to work, study, retire or live in Thailand, you must get the appropriate visa before you travel.

Digital Arrival Card 

From 1 May 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand, whether by air, land or sea must complete a digital arrival card online before arrival. Travellers can register for an arrival card within 3 days before they arrive.

Overstaying your visa

If you overstay the period of your visa, you will get a fine of 500 Thai baht a day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. You risk being:

• held in detention
• deported at your own expense
• banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years

Conditions in detention centres can be harsh.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Thailand, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Thailand guide.

Ebola

As a public health measure, Thailand has introduced health screening for travellers arriving from affected regions. Travellers are subject to a mandatory quarantine or self-isolation period of at least 21 days.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Thailand. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking cigarettes into Thailand

It is illegal to take more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand. This is enforced at customs on arrival. If you go over the limit, you could be fined 10 times the value. Your cigarettes will likely be confiscated.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Thailand. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking cigarettes into Thailand

It is illegal to take more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand. This is enforced at customs on arrival. If you go over the limit, you could be fined 10 times the value. Your cigarettes will likely be confiscated.

Emergency services in Thailand

Telephone: 191 (ambulance, fire, police)

Ambulance: 1669

Fire: 199

Police: 191

Tourist police: 1155

The Tourist Police have developed a new application called Thailand Tourist Police to facilitate communication between tourists and our services online. The application is available to tourists who do not have a Thai SIM card. The application features information about tourist attractions and notifications regarding natural disasters or safety concerns in the vicinity of tourists.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Thailand
• dealing with a death in Thailand
• being arrested in Thailand
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you are affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Thailand on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Thailand-Malaysia border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the south, near the Thailand-Malaysia border:

• Pattani Province
• Yala Province
• Narathiwat Province
• The districts of Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi in southern Songkhla Province

FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces.

This is due to regular attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia. See Safety and security .

Thailand-Cambodia border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the land border with Cambodia.

Fighting occurred along parts of the border in July 2025, and further clashes took place in early December, involving rocket and artillery fire. Land borders and crossings between Thailand and Cambodia remain suspended. Tourist sites close to the border, including the Khao Phra Wihan Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai Ta Krabey temple and the Ta Muen Thom Tamone Thom temple, are closed. There are unexploded landmines in the area. Travel to affected border regions should be avoided.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Severe Flooding

Severe flooding is affecting parts of Thailand following heavy rainfall in a number of provinces, including Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan. All 50 districts of Bangkok have been declared disaster-affected areas. Travel disruption, including road closures and flooding of low-lying areas, is possible.

The Thai government has declared special public holidays on 28 and 29 September in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan. Many government offices and services may be closed or operating with reduced capacity. Follow the advice of local authorities if you plan to travel.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: 

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through

• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator

• review your travel insurance policy for coverage

• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

• If you have been impacted by travel disruption and need to review your Thai Visa, please follow the guidance published by the Thai Immigration Bureau: Immigration Bureau Facebook

It is illegal to carry cannabis out of Thailand

British nationals have been caught carrying cannabis out of Thailand, including while transiting through other countries. Many international airports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, which may be used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. If caught you will be arrested or fined.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

The British Embassy in Bangkok’s video talks about what to be aware of when living or travelling in Thailand:

• Facebook – visiting Thailand video
• X – visiting Thailand video

Criticising the Thai monarchy

Criticising the Thai monarchy (‘lèse-majesté’) is illegal. The law can be interpreted broadly and carries a long prison sentence. British and Thai journalists, human rights defenders and members of the public have faced charges for making political comments or sharing articles online that could be interpreted as being negative towards the institution of the Thai monarchy. The law also covers any accusations about members of the Thai Royal Family, past and present.   

Images on social media

Posting images of people drinking alcohol or wearing clothing considered inappropriate can be illegal. Both the person who uploaded the images and the people in them could be fined or imprisoned.

Business and property ownership

Thai authorities have increased enforcement against unlawful business ownership arrangements involving foreign nationals. This includes the use of Thai nationals as ‘nominee’ and majority shareholders, where a foreign national provides the funding for, or exercises control over, a business or property ownership arrangement.

If you are considering buying property, investing in a business or setting up a company in Thailand, make sure you understand local laws and seek independent legal advice. If you already own a business or have property-related investments in Thailand, consider reviewing your ownership arrangements with a qualified legal adviser to ensure they comply with Thai law. Those found to be operating in breach of Thai business laws may face arrest, fines, deportation or other legal penalties.

Deportation

On 28 August 2026, Thailand introduced new deportation regulations. Foreign nationals may be deported without the need for a criminal conviction if the Thai authorities determine that their conduct is contrary to public order, public morals or the wellbeing of the Thai people. Those who are deported may also face restrictions on returning to Thailand. You should comply with all local laws and regulations and follow instructions issued by Thai authorities.

Drones

It is illegal to fly a drone in Thailand if it is not registered. You must register your drone with Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of entering Thailand or purchasing a drone in Thailand even if you do not intend to fly it.

The regulations apply to all drones, including those for recreational use. The fine for an unregistered drone with the NBTC is 100,000 baht or five years imprisonment or both.

Gambling – playing cards

Thailand has strict laws on gambling. Under the Playing Cards Act (1943) it is illegal to carry over one hundred and twenty playing cards. Violation of the Act could lead to prosecution, a fine, or even imprisonment.

Personal ID

Police may ask to check your passport. If you do not have it with you, you could be asked to produce it within 24 hours at a police station. Usually, a copy of the photo page of your passport will be sufficient. 

Smoking and e-cigarette bans

It’s illegal to smoke in public with a fine of up to 5,000 Thai baht. It is illegal to possess or use any vape, e-cigarette, pod, e-liquid, or heat-not-burn device in Thailand. Offences can lead to confiscation, heavy fines (typically 5,000–30,000 Thai bhat), detention, and court proceedings. You may be required to remain in Thailand until the case has been finalised. There are no exceptions for tourists or for personal use.

Alcohol sale restrictions

The sale of alcohol is restricted between midnight and 11am. This does not apply to licensed hotels, international airport terminals or authorised entertainment venues. Exercise caution when purchasing or consuming alcohol in public places during restricted hours and check with venue owners or shop sellers. Failure to comply could result in a fine.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Thailand has strict laws against drug use, possession and trafficking. Possessing small quantities of illegal substances can lead to heavy fines or imprisonment. Possessing Class A drugs can lead to the death penalty.

Conditions in prisons and other detention facilities in Thailand are harsh, with limited access to healthcare. Detainees have died in custody.

Some British nationals have suffered severe psychiatric problems because of drug use, sometimes leading to suicide.

Cannabis

Cannabis laws in Thailand are strictly enforced and have changed in recent years. You must follow local regulations on possession, use and export.

Cannabis use in Thailand is restricted to medical purposes only. You must not buy, possess or use it without a Thai-issued medical prescription, which is limited to a 30-day supply. Recreational use remains illegal.

It is illegal to take cannabis out of Thailand without the appropriate export permission from the authorities.

Attempting to take cannabis out of Thailand will result in penalties, including fines starting at 30,000 Thai baht per kilogram (about £684 per kg). If you do not pay, you will be detained or imprisoned. You will also be placed on an immigration watchlist affecting future travel to Thailand.

Cannabis is illegal in many countries. If you carry it when arriving in, or transiting through, another country, you risk arrest and serious penalties, including long prison sentences.

LGBT+ travellers

Thailand is generally a safe place for LGBT+ travellers. Thailand legalised same-sex marriage in January 2025. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

It’s illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence.