The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel guidance for Britons heading to Thailand. The revised advice, released on Monday, includes a new restriction on visa-exempt entries through land-border checkpoints.
Visa-exempt entry rules
From September 15, 2026, British passport holders entering Thailand under the visa exemption programme may stay for up to 30 days for tourism purposes only. The arrangement does not cover business travel, including conferences, meetings or other commercial activities. Those travelling for business must obtain the relevant visa before departure.
The FCDO states: "Visa-exempt entry for tourism through land-border immigration checkpoints is normally limited to two entries per calendar year. This restriction does not generally apply to arrivals by air."
Entry requirements and digital arrival card
To enter Thailand as a visitor, a passport must have an expiry date at least six months beyond the arrival date and contain at least one empty page. The FCDO cautions: "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."
All foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea must complete a digital arrival card online before arrival. Travellers can register for an arrival card within three days before their arrival.
Overstay penalties and popularity
If a traveller overstays their visa, they will incur a fine of 500 Thai baht (approximately £11) per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht (roughly £449). They risk being detained, deported at their own cost, and banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years.
Thailand is gaining popularity among UK travellers, with over a million making the journey annually. Tens of thousands of UK nationals reside, work or have retired in Thailand, in locations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Phuket.
