Thailand is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, but travellers should be aware of certain laws to avoid problems.
This article should be read in conjunction with this one: Do's and don'ts in Thailand, the things you need to know
The types of tourists who visit Thailand are very different.
There are families, couples, backpackers, solo travellers, beggar travellers and other downright bizarre individuals.
With its beautiful sandy beaches, lush tropical jungles, temples and sunshine, it is the most popular place in Southeast Asia.
And also an excellent starting point before exploring Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
But if you are planning to visit Thailand, here are some things you should know:
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Fishing for endangered fish
Screenshot of the video posted on TikTok of the tourist with his illegal catch.
We start with something that seems logical, but a case made a lot of noise last August.
A fishing tourist shared a video on social networks in which he proudly shows the result of his hunt.
The problem was that some of the fish caught were endangered species.
No smoking
Like many countries around the world, Thailand has a smoking ban, except in designated areas, but it is easy for a tourist to get caught.
Smoking is prohibited on passenger and tourist vessels, on public transport, in workplaces, on beaches and in indoor public places.
The fine for breaking the law is 100,000 baht (2,707 euros), one year in prison or both.
What many tourists don't realise is that electronic cigarettes are also banned and being caught with an e-cigarette can result in a fine and/or prison sentence.
Exceeding the validity of your visa
Photo: Visa Traveler
This problem has become so widespread in Thailand that a few years ago a special task force was set up to track down visa overstayers and has resulted in hundreds of people being deported.
If you are caught with an expired visa, you will be sent to the immigration detention centre which, by all accounts, is quite unpleasant.
You will also be fined for each day you exceed the limit, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht (541.58 euros), and blacklisted for a number of years, depending on the severity of your excess.
Gambling
Gambling is a popular pastime in every country in the world and, like all regions, Thailand has its own laws regarding this activity.
Thailand has largely made gambling illegal.
There is a state lottery and betting on horse races is completely legal.
However, horse racing is not very popular with the local population, who prefer to bet on cockfights, Thai boxing matches and cards.
There are no casinos in Thailand and locals have to travel to Laos and other neighbouring countries to get their legal gambling fix.
There are, of course, illegal dens all over the country and card games are often organised in the houses.
If you are invited by a friendly resident to their home to play cards, it is probably wise to politely decline.
There have been many cases of rigged card games, as a result of which the unlucky foreigner had to withdraw a lot of money from the ATM or was arrested after a police raid.
Throwing away waste
While locals and expatriates complain about littering anywhere in the country, many tourists have been caught for this offence.
Littering in Thailand is a crime.
Dropping a cigarette butt or spitting out chewing gum is a popular way to lose a little money while visiting Bangkok and other cities.
You can be fined 2,000 baht (€53.98) and if you are caught littering on any of the beaches you can be fined up to 100,000 baht (€2,699) and/or jailed for up to one year.
Adult films
Illustration photo by Napaporn Sripirom
Most adult entertainment sites are blocked in Thailand and it is illegal to make or possess pornographic material.
It's unlikely that the police will raid your room while you're watching an adult film, but it's one of the laws that most visitors don't think about.
See also :
Do's and don'ts of visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand
Scams in Thailand: know them and protect yourself
Source: Bangkok Jack
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