Legal updates, practical guidance, and thought leadership from our team, covering the developments that matter to businesses operating in Thailand.
Thailand's 60-day visa exemption ends on 15 September 2026, replaced by a 30-day exemption for 60 countries, for tourism only, with a two-entry cap at land borders. What the four new Ministry of Interior notifications change, who is affected, and why business travelers relying on visa-exempt entry and urgent work permits should act before the deadline.
The Council of Ministers met on Tuesday 29 September B.E. 2569 (2026). It approved several draft instruments of direct relevance to businesses operating in Thailand, none of which is yet in force. Under Thai law, a draft instrument acquires binding effect only upon publication in the Royal Gazette, the official journal in which legislation is promulgated. This alert sets out, for each decision, the businesses concerned, its current legal status and the steps we recommend.
The Council of Ministers met on Tuesday 22 September B.E. 2569 (2026). Two of its decisions have immediate consequences for businesses operating in Thailand. Three further decisions approved draft instruments in principle; these create no present obligation but warrant monitoring. This alert identifies the status of each.
The Thai Cabinet met on Tuesday 15 September B.E. 2569 (2026), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Below are the four decisions that matter to business, each marked with whether it is in force or still a draft, plus a short watch list of things that need no action yet.
The Thai Cabinet met on Tuesday 8 September B.E. 2569 (2026), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. This alert sets out the five decisions of most consequence to companies operating in or investing into Thailand, and states in each case whether the decision is now operative or remains a draft.
At its meeting on 1 September B.E. 2569 (2026), held in Hat Yai and chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Cabinet took a number of decisions of interest to businesses operating in Thailand. At its meeting on 1 September B.E. 2569 (2026), held in Hat Yai and chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Cabinet took a number of decisions of interest to businesses operating in Thailand.
On 27 August 2026, the Royal Gazette published the Office of the Prime Minister Regulation on Deportation B.E. 2569 (ระเบียบสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี ว่าด้วยการเนรเทศ พ.ศ. 2569), issued under Section 11(8) of the State Administration of the Kingdom Act B.E. 2534 with Cabinet approval. The Regulation took effect the day after publication.
At its meeting on 25 August B.E. 2569 (2026), the Cabinet took a number of decisions of consequence to commercial enterprises operating in Thailand. None has yet entered into force. This alert sets out the substance of each measure and its present legal status, the distinction between a resolution of the Cabinet and an enforceable instrument being material to any assessment of timing.
Nothing decided this week is yet in force, but two threads are worth acting on early: a step toward letting the Permanent Court of Arbitration hold proceedings in Thailand, which speaks to where you seat disputes, and a package of four labour measures that would pull seafarers and home-based workers into social protection and set new penalties for employers.
Thailand–United States Intellectual Property Work Plan approved by the Cabinet in May 2025, and a national Intellectual Property Development Plan for 2026–2027 approved by the National Intellectual Property Policy Committee in August of that year, with the Ministry of Commerce reporting progress to the Cabinet this February.