Sadly the days of Thailand being the epicentre for backpackers is now at an end as people are increasingly getting turned away at the border, rules keep changing, it is getting prohibitively expensive and overall the country is a god-damned basket case.
Therefore it is my educated opinion that you should instead head to one of the many great alternatives to Thailand. Here are my main reasons to avoid Thailand in 2026.
Table of Contents
11) They launched a war of aggression
Thailand’s long history of meddling in Cambodian affairs is not some distant Cold War relic, it is recent, real, and still being felt. Military incursions, border tensions, and political interference have left Cambodia paying the price long after Thailand moved on. While this is often brushed under the carpet in travel writing, it matters. A country willing to destabilise its neighbour while pretending to be the friendly heart of South East Asia should not get a free pass. The consequences are still visible in Cambodia’s development, economy, and security situation today.
10) Tax rules for expats are grey
Thailand is not Georgia, Estonia, or anywhere else that actually understands how to attract foreign earners. Rules around whether foreigners earning money abroad while living long term in Thailand need to pay tax change constantly and are interpreted differently depending on who you ask. One week you are told foreign income is exempt if not remitted, the next week officials suggest the opposite. This kind of ambiguity is dangerous when fines, audits, or worse are on the line.
9) The country is a political basket case
Thai politics are whimsical at best and unhinged at worst. Governments come and go, courts intervene, coups are normalised, and laws change overnight. This instability trickles down into daily life. Something legal today may not be legal tomorrow, not because of public debate, but because a handful of men in uniforms or robes decided so.
8) Anti-foreigner sentiment is at an all-time high
Right now anti-foreigner sentiment is clearly rising. Whether subtle or overt, many visitors and long-term residents feel increasingly unwelcome. Immigration officers treat foreigners with suspicion, locals are less tolerant, and online discourse is openly hostile. If this trajectory continues, it risks escalating from bureaucratic harassment into something uglier.
7) The weed laws change daily (as do alcohol laws)
Thailand’s weed experiment has been a masterclass in how not to run a country. What was legal yesterday can be illegal tomorrow. Shops open, close, reopen, then get raided. Alcohol laws are equally absurd, with restricted sale hours, religious day bans, and arbitrary enforcement. This chaos is not quirky, it is dangerous. One misunderstanding can land you in serious trouble.
6) The Digital Nomad visa is pointless
Thailand’s so-called digital nomad options are expensive, bureaucratic, and offer very little in return. High fees, unclear benefits, reporting requirements, and limited flexibility make it a poor deal compared to neighbouring countries. It feels less like an invitation and more like a cash grab wrapped in red tape.
5) Immigration rules are constantly changing
Visa runs that worked for years are suddenly blocked. Entry limits are vague. Extensions are inconsistent. Immigration officers are empowered to deny entry based on “feelings”. Compared to countries where the rules are written down and followed, Thailand’s system is chaotic and stressful. Planning long term becomes impossible.
4) Thailand is now super expensive
Thailand is no longer cheap. Sure, some street food still costs pennies and budget hotels exist, but rent, transport, alcohol, western food, and nightlife have exploded in price. A night out in Bangkok or Phuket can easily rival New York or London, without the salaries to match. The value proposition is gone.
3) You can be arrested for a bad TripAdvisor review
Thailand’s defamation laws are brutally strict. Leave a negative review online and you risk fines, lawsuits, or even prison. This is not hypothetical, it has happened. Criticising businesses, institutions, the army, or the monarchy is playing with fire. Free speech is not a thing here, and foreigners are not protected.
2) People are getting turned away at the border
Stories of people being refused entry, detained, and deported are no longer rare. This can be for lack of cash, too many previous entries, unclear travel plans, or seemingly nothing at all. Rules change, enforcement tightens, and decisions are often made on a whim. Building a life on that uncertainty is madness.
1) There are just better options
South East Asia is full of countries that actually want foreigners. Cambodia offers clarity, affordability, and long-term stability. Indonesia has structured visas and genuine diversity. Vietnam delivers energy, culture, and improving visa options. When better, cheaper, and more welcoming alternatives exist, there is simply no logical reason to keep gambling on Thailand in 2026.
And these are the main reasons why I personally would just avoid Thailand in 2026, particularly as there are just better options. The funny thing here is that I have probably broken number 3 with writing this…
Click to check my Thailand Tours.
