[December 2025] Thailand Immigration’s New Measures & Social Security’s Wage Calculation Ceiling
Visa runs are limited and tightened screening under Thailand Immigration’s new measures
Thailand's Immigration Bureau has officially launched four key measures to tighten inspection on foreign visitors and prevent them from misusing the visa-free scheme for illegal activities. The measures apply to all nationalities who use the free visa and is meant to clearly separate genuine tourists from those exploiting visa exemptions. The four measures are:
Thailand's Immigration Bureau has officially launched four key measures to tighten inspection on foreign visitors and prevent them from misusing the visa-free scheme for illegal activities. The measures apply to all nationalities who use the free visa and is meant to clearly separate genuine tourists from those exploiting visa exemptions. The four measures are:
- Visa Runs Limit: Foreign visitors are now capped at two visa runs. Those attempting more entries without a valid reason or proof of tourism intent will be denied entry at airports and border checkpoints.
- Border Area Blocking: Foreigners on national or international watchlists are being blocked from the specific border areas known for scammer activity, particularly Mae Sot in Tak. Anyone previously denied entry or pushed back at Thai-Myanmar border will be denied re-entry into Thailand.
- Tightened Screening for Extension of Stay: Immigration Offices are increasing inspection on all applications for the temporary stay extensions. If a "visa run pattern" is detected, the request will be refused or canceled, followed by deportation.
- Overstay Crackdown: Authorities are intensifying their crackdown on foreigners who overstay their legal duration of stay in accordance with overstay regulations.
Increase social security’s wage calculation ceiling and benefits starting from 2026
On December 2, 2025, the cabinet approved a draft ministerial regulation specifying the minimum and maximum wages to be used as the base for calculating social security contributions. This adjustment aims to align the calculation of contributions under Section 33 with current wage levels and to improve the social security’s benefits, including illness, unemployment, disability, childbirth, and old age pension. The new rate will be adjusted every three years starting January 1, 2026, as follows:
- Phase 1 (2026-2028) will raise the wage ceiling to 17,500 baht, with a contribution of 875 baht per month.
- Phase 2 (2029-2031) will raise the wage ceiling to 20,000 baht, with a contribution of 1,000 baht per month.
- Phase 3 (from 2032 onward) will raise the wage ceiling to 23,000 baht, with a contribution of 1,150 baht per month.
- Compensations for illness, disability, and unemployment will increase from 7,500 baht per month to 8,750 baht per month.
- Childbirth benefit will increase from 22,500 baht per case to 26,250 baht per case.
- Death benefit will increase from 90,000 baht to 105,000 baht.
- Pensions for contributors with at least 15 years of contributions will increase from a maximum of 3,000 baht per month to 3,500 Baht per month, and for those with 25 years of contributions, from 5,250 baht per month to 6,125 baht per month.
