ThaiLawOnline Blog — Thai Legal Updates & Expat Guides

Thai authorities have dramatically intensified their pursuit of business crimes, particularly targeting nominee structures used to circumvent foreign ownership restrictions. From September 2024 to May 2025, enforcement agencies handled 861 nominee business cases. These cases caused economic damages over 15.3 billion baht. The enforcement covers more than just nominee companies. It includes a wider range of business crimes. Authorities are pursuing 57,739 cases of illegal goods. They are also investigating 46,918 high-risk companies that may use nominee structures. This increase in enforcement highlights ongoing issues with recent actions against nominees in Thailand. These issues involve the law and court cases.

Thailand’s drug laws are notoriously strict—one wrong move could mean years in prison or worse. As an expat, understanding them isn’t optional; it’s essential. Even a single pill can put you behind bars, while large-scale trafficking still attracts the death penalty. Recent reforms have adjusted limits and added rehabilitation options. The main point is clear. […]

Thailand’s abortion law has undergone its most significant overhaul in decades. For foreign residents, business travelers, and long-term tourists, understanding the new rules is important. This knowledge helps with personal choices. It also supports partners, friends, or employees facing an unplanned pregnancy and thinking about ending it.

On January 23, 2025, Thailand made history. It became the first Southeast Asian country and the third in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The law is called the Amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code Act (No. 24) B.E. 2567 (2024) and was published on September 24, 2024. This important law gives same-sex couples the same rights and protections as heterosexual couples, affirming their civil partnership. It is a big step forward for LGBTQ+ rights. This follows decades of advocacy, making Thailand the 38th country globally to recognize marriage equality. The new law facilitates the process of Same-Sex Marriage Registration in Thailand.

The period between 2018 and 2020 marked the most significant transformation in Thailand’s TM30 notification system since its original enactment in 1979. This turbulent period witnessed the sudden enforcement of long-dormant regulations, widespread administrative chaos, intense business and public opposition, and ultimately comprehensive regulatory reform that fundamentally altered how the system operates.

TL;DR – Under Thai law the longest enforceable land lease is thirty years. Any promise of automatic renewals to create a “30 + 30 + 30” or 90-year lease in Thailand is void. The Supreme Court has ruled several times that such pre-signed extensions are not binding. If you want long-term security, you need a […]

Looking for the right visa to stay in Thailand?We’ve just launched a new tool to help you find it—quickly and easily. This Thai Visa Finder is designed to guide you toward the most suitable visa based on your situation. Whether you’re planning to retire, work, invest, or just stay long-term, this tool can point you […]

Discover if earthquake insurance covers damages in Thailand. This guide delves into seismic risks in Thailand and Myanmar and examines coverage specifics following the 2025 quake.

Learn how to secure permanent residency in Thailand in 2025 with our guide to application periods, document preparation, and more for a smooth experience.

Discover the implications of Thailand’s Supreme Court Case No. 4655/2566, addressing the enforceability of automatic 30-year lease renewals in property agreements.