Thailand is calling! But wait—before you book that last flight, know that things have changed. New regulations rolled out in late 2025 mean you need to prepare a little differently than before. From a mandatory digital entry form to new rules on extending your stay, here is everything you need to know for a stress-free holiday in the Land of Smiles.
1. Entering Thailand: It’s All Digital Now!
Forget the old paper forms on the plane—entry is now mandatory through a new online system.
The Mandatory Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
To get through Immigration smoothly, you must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online.
When to file it: You can submit it up to three days (72 hours) before your flight arrives.
What happens if I forget? You risk serious delays or even being denied entry, so don’t skip this step!
COVID-19 Check: As of November 2025, you do not need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or travel insurance based on official Thai policy. However, be aware that some airlines or transit airports might still ask for this, so travel prepared.
2. The Big Visa Change: Say Goodbye to ‘Visa Runs’
If you were hoping to stay for many months by frequently popping over a border and returning, the new rules have closed that door. The government wants to encourage proper visa planning, not endless short visits.
Stricter Rules for Visa Exemptions
For many nationalities, you still get a 60-day visa exemption upon arrival by air for tourism. However, the ability to extend your stay is now very limited and officers are checking travel history much closer.
Aspect | What Used to Happen (Before Nov 2025) | What Happens Now (New Rule) | What This Means for You |
|---|---|---|---|
Land Border Entry | You could often get a 30-day extension inside Thailand. | No Extensions Allowed. You get 60 days max, and then you must leave the country. | The border-hopping strategy is finished. Plan your exit early! |
Air Entry Extensions | Extensions were often granted multiple times a year. | Limited to 2 extensions per calendar year (30 days + a final 7-day emergency extension). | Your stay is now capped at around 97 days total unless you have a formal long-term visa. |
Risk of Denial | Extension requests were usually rubber-stamped. | Officers must meet stricter goals and can deny your request if your travel history looks suspicious (e.g., too many back-to-back tourist entries). | Prepare documents and apply early for extensions; they are not guaranteed anymore. |
Important: If you are trying to switch to a long-term visa (like a student visa), start that process immediately upon arrival. You might not have enough time with the new extension limits!
3. Party Safely: What You Need to Know About the New Alcohol Law
A major law change (the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act No. 2) came into effect on November 8, 2025. It mostly targets advertising, but there are three key things tourists need to know about sales and service.
A. Sobriety Checks by Staff
This is the biggest change: staff at all venues (restaurants, bars, convenience stores) are now legally required to check both your age (20+) and your sobriety before serving you. This means if you appear too drunk in a venue, the staff has the legal right—and obligation—to refuse you service. Be polite and drink responsibly, especially during busy holiday events.
B. Extended Hours for Certain Venues
Great news for late-night holiday celebrations:
Licensed Hotels: You can now order alcohol to your room 24/7.
Designated Entertainment Zones: Bars and clubs in areas like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai can now serve alcohol until 4:00 AM.
C. Retail Curfew Still Applies
The extended hours only apply to licensed entertainment venues and hotels. If you want to buy a bottle of beer or liquor from a convenience store or supermarket, the sales curfew remains strictly in place:
No sales allowed between midnight and 11:00 AM.
4. Safety First: Places to Avoid (Geopolitical Risk)
Thailand is largely safe, but official advisories strongly caution against non-essential travel to two specific border regions due to ongoing security risks.
Region | Warning Level | Areas to Avoid | Key Danger |
|---|---|---|---|
Southern Border | Avoid all but essential travel. | Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and four districts of Songkhla. | Ongoing insurgency and regular attacks. Avoid the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line. |
Cambodia Border | Avoid all but essential travel. | The entire 50km zone next to the Cambodia border, including islands like Koh Chang and Koh Kood. | Tensions, sporadic conflict, and unexploded landmines. Land crossings are closed indefinitely. |
Heads Up: If you visit a high-risk area against official government advice, your standard travel insurance policy may be voided!
5. Holiday Planning: Watch Out for the New Year’s Closure!
The Thai government has approved an extended five-day holiday for the New Year to boost domestic tourism.
The Regulatory Dead Zone: All government offices, including Immigration, will be closed from Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Logistical Pinch: This means if your visa exemption is due to expire anytime around this date (e.g., December 28th through January 5th), you must apply for your extension no later than December 27th to avoid an overstay fine.
Travel Congestion: Expect extremely high demand for trains, buses, and domestic flights during this five-day period. Book all long-distance travel immediately to avoid price hikes and delays.
Bangkok Airport Transfer: If you are connecting through Bangkok, make sure your flights use the same airport (BKK or DMK). Transferring between the two during peak holiday traffic is a nightmare!
Happy Traveling!
These new rules are all about making tourism safer and more structured. The best advice is to plan your entry and exit strategies clearly, know the rules about alcohol, and be smart about where you travel in the border regions. Have a fantastic time exploring Thailand! Let me know if you have any questions about specific visa application processes or need help finding a safe travel route.
Adrenaline junkie with a passion for exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations and finding unique ways to stay active. Expect stunning scenery, challenging workouts, awesome travel tips and a whole lot of fun. Let’s get sweaty and explore the world together!
