Thailand, is a hugely popular stop on Southeast Asia’s tourist trail, attracting millions of young backpackers, honeymooners, and solo travellers each year. In 2024, the country welcomed over 35.5 million international tourists.
But before you pack your bags, it’s worth knowing that Thailand enforces a number of strict laws that directly affect tourists. While most trips go smoothly, breaking certain rules can lead to heavy fines, deportation, or even imprisonment.
Here are the key laws and regulations every visitor should know to stay safe, respectful, and out of trouble while visiting Thailand.
1. Respect the Monarchy
It is strictly illegal to criticise the Thai monarchy, including both past and present members of the royal family. This applies to spoken comments, online posts, and even sharing articles or images deemed disrespectful. Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws are among the toughest in the world, and violations can result in long prison sentences, heavy fines, or both.
For visitors, it is advisable to simply avoid mentioning the royal family, especially when speaking with Thai people. If someone asks your opinion, a safe response is something neutral and positive, such as “they seem wonderful” or “very good.” Even casual jokes or seemingly innocent comments can be interpreted as disrespectful.
Tip for visitors: Treat all discussions of the monarchy with extreme caution. Silence or polite neutrality is safest.
2. Drinking Alcohol
The legal drinking age in Thailand is 20 years old. It is illegal to buy or consume alcohol if you are under 20, even if some bars, hostels, or street vendors appear to turn a blind eye.
Alcohol sales are restricted during certain periods, including religious holidays, election days, and specific hours of the day (usually 2–5 pm and midnight–11 am).
It is also illegal to consume alcohol in certain public places. Always check local signage, as some parks, beaches, streets, and event areas prohibit drinking.
Drinking is strictly forbidden on public transport, including buses, the MRT, and BTS trains in Bangkok, and violations can result in fines or other penalties.
Tip for visitors: Buy and consume alcohol responsibly, respect local restrictions, and avoid drinking in public or on transport to stay on the right side of the law.
3. Cannabis Laws
Despite recent reforms, Thailand’s cannabis laws are still in flux. While low-strength cannabis is legal for medical and limited personal use, it remains illegal to export or take it out of the country. Possession of higher-strength cannabis or unlicensed products can still result in fines or imprisonment.
The government has designated certain licensed cannabis cafés and consumption spaces where adults can legally consume cannabis on-site. These establishments are closely regulated, and authorities are currently reconsidering the legal framework around them, so rules may change. Visitors should only consume cannabis in licensed locations.
Smoking or using cannabis on the street, in hotels, bars, or other public places remains illegal, and doing so can result in fines, arrest, or confiscation.
Tip for visitors: Always check that the café or venue has a valid license, follow all local regulations, and never attempt to carry cannabis outside Thailand.
The UK Foreign Office warns:
“British nationals have been caught carrying cannabis out of Thailand. There have been arrests of British nationals caught transiting through airports in other countries.”
4. Illegal Drug Use
Thailand has a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal drugs, and penalties are among the harshest in the world. Possession, use, or trafficking of controlled substances can lead to severe consequences, even for small amounts.
Possession or use of small amounts of drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine (“yaba”), heroin, or cocaine can result in heavy fines, imprisonment, or both. Even first-time offenders are treated seriously.
Trafficking or large-scale distribution of Class A drugs carries extremely severe penalties. While the law allows for the death penalty, in practice most traffickers receive long-term imprisonment, often around 15–20 years, sometimes combined with substantial fines.
Thailand distinguishes between drug use, possession, and trafficking, but the thresholds for “small” versus “large” quantities are strict and can vary depending on the drug.
Law enforcement is active, and authorities often carry out checkpoints, raids, and random searches, especially near tourist areas and border crossings.
Even drugs that might be legal in other countries, such as cannabis, are heavily restricted. Medical use is allowed under strict licensing, but recreational use is still illegal and subject to prosecution.
Key takeaway: Never carry, use, or attempt to buy illegal drugs in Thailand. The risks are extremely high, and even unintentional possession can lead to serious legal trouble.
Never accept substances from strangers or leave your bags unattended.
5. Cigarettes and Tobacco
You are allowed to bring up to 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand. Customs officers strictly enforce this limit, and travellers caught with more can face fines of up to ten times the value of the cigarettes or confiscation.
To purchase cigarettes in Thailand, you must be at least 20 years old. Shops and convenience stores will typically ask for ID if you appear younger. Selling tobacco to anyone under 20 is illegal and heavily fined.
Smoking is banned in many public places, including public beaches, parks, government buildings, and public transport, with fines of up to 5,000 baht. Even dropping cigarette butts on the street or in public areas can result in fines, as littering is taken seriously.
6. E-Cigarettes and Public Smoking
Thailand has some of the strictest rules in Asia when it comes to vaping and smoking. E-cigarettes, vape pens, and related devices are completely illegal, both for sale and for personal use.
Possessing, importing, or using these devices can result in fines, confiscation, or even imprisonment, with penalties enforced at airports and by local police. Travelers have been arrested for attempting to bring e-cigarettes into the country, so it is safest to leave all devices and e-liquids at home.
Traditional smoking is legal but highly regulated. Smoking is banned in many public areas, including public beaches, parks, government buildings, hospitals, and inside public transport. Violations can incur fines of up to 5,000 baht (around £110), and enforcement has increased in recent years, especially in popular tourist destinations.
Additional points to note:
- Many hotels, resorts, and restaurants have designated smoking areas. Smoking outside these areas can lead to fines.
- Local authorities can impose stricter rules in certain tourist hotspots, so always check signage.
- Some nightlife venues and bars may allow smoking indoors, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
Tip for visitors: To avoid fines or legal trouble, refrain from vaping entirely, and only smoke in clearly designated areas. Carrying an e-cigarette, even for personal use, is considered an offense.
7. Inappropriate Social Media Posts & Review Defamation
Be mindful of what you share online. Photos showing drunken behaviour, nudity, or disrespectful acts, especially involving temples, monks, or the Thai flag, can lead to arrest or fines. Even seemingly harmless selfies at religious sites can cause offence if clothing or poses are deemed inappropriate.
Thailand also has strict defamation and cybercrime laws. Writing or posting a negative review about a hotel, restaurant, or business, whether true or not, can result in a defamation lawsuit. Several tourists have faced legal action for public complaints made on social media or review sites.
When sharing experiences online, it’s safest to keep criticism factual and polite to avoid unintentionally violating Thai law.
8. Wildlife Souvenirs
Thailand has strict laws protecting its wildlife, and this extends to souvenirs. Buying, possessing, or exporting items made from protected animals, including shells, coral, ivory, turtle shells, rhino horn, certain furs, or bones, can be illegal under both national law and international agreements such as CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
The capture, killing, or sale of protected wildlife is prohibited without a proper license, and penalties for violations can be severe: fines, confiscation, and even imprisonment. Customs officials at airports routinely inspect luggage, and travelers attempting to take restricted items abroad risk arrest.
Even seemingly harmless souvenirs, like coral jewelry or carved shells, may be illegal if the species is protected or the item was harvested illegally.
To stay safe, stick to non-animal souvenirs, such as textiles, handicrafts, or artwork, and leave wildlife items on display in Thailand rather than trying to take them home.
9. Marine Protection Laws: Don’t Touch or Feed the Ocean Life
Thailand’s Marine and Coastal Resources Department enforces strict conservation laws to protect its coral reefs and marine life.
When snorkelling or diving:
- Do not touch or stand on coral — it can take decades to regrow.
- Do not feed fish or marine animals, as it disrupts natural behaviour.
- Avoid kicking the seabed or stirring sediment, which damages fragile ecosystems.
- Do not collect sand, shells, or coral fragments as souvenirs.
Violations can lead to on-the-spot fines or prosecution, especially in marine national parks like Phi Phi or Similan Islands.
10. Drone Regulations
Flying a drone in Thailand is strictly regulated. All drones weighing more than 2 kilograms (about 4.4 lbs) must be registered with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) before use. Registration involves providing your personal details, drone specifications, and, in some cases, proof of ownership.
Failure to register a drone can carry severe penalties: fines of up to 100,000 baht (roughly £2,200) or up to five years in prison. Even drones under 2 kg are not entirely exempt—using them in restricted areas, such as near airports, military bases, national parks, or crowded tourist spots, can still result in fines or confiscation.
Other important rules to note:
- Drones must remain within the operator’s line of sight at all times.
- Maximum altitude is generally 90 meters (295 feet).
- Flying over crowds, private property without permission, or sensitive government sites is prohibited.
- Commercial drone use requires additional permits and insurance.
Tourists and hobbyists should always check the latest NBTC guidelines before flying, as rules are strictly enforced and authorities frequently conduct inspections. Following these regulations ensures you enjoy drone photography safely and legally.
11. Gambling and Playing Cards
Thailand has some of the strictest gambling laws in Asia, with almost all forms of betting outlawed under the Gambling Act of 1935. Apart from the state-run national lottery and official horse racing, all other gambling activities, including casino-style games, online betting, and poker, are illegal.
Even friendly card games played for small amounts of money can technically be prosecuted if authorities view them as gambling. Police occasionally raid private gatherings and seize cash, so it’s best to avoid playing games for money altogether.
There’s also the unusual “120 playing cards rule”. It is illegal to possess more than 120 playing cards without permission from the Excise Department, which oversees the manufacture and distribution of cards. This law dates back to when the government wanted to monitor gambling and tax card sales.
The law also considers any informal wager above 50 baht (around £1) as illegal gambling, regardless of intent. Even minor games for fun can technically break this rule if money or items of value are exchanged.
Horse racing is an exception. Betting is legal only at government-licensed tracks, such as the Royal Turf Club in Bangkok or Chiang Mai Racecourse. At these venues, you can legally place bets, and the amount you wager is generally determined by the track’s own rules rather than a strict legal limit. Online betting or unlicensed betting is still illegal.
In short: avoid informal gambling or card games for money entirely. If you want to bet on horse racing, stick to licensed tracks to stay on the right side of the law.
12. Modesty and Behaviour
Public nudity is illegal in Thailand. Even seemingly minor acts, such as topless sunbathing on beaches, can result in fines or warnings from local authorities. When visiting temples and religious sites, both men and women are expected to cover shoulders and knees, and shoes must be removed before entering.
Engaging in sexual activity in public is strictly prohibited and can lead to arrests and fines. Thai law takes public decency seriously, and authorities patrol tourist areas to enforce these rules.
Beyond the legal aspect, public displays of affection (PDA) such as kissing, hugging, or overly intimate behavior are culturally frowned upon, especially in rural areas or near temples. While holding hands is generally acceptable, overt displays can attract disapproving attention or social censure.
Tip for visitors: Dress modestly, respect religious customs, and keep intimate behavior private to avoid both legal trouble and cultural offense.
13. Respect for Religion
Thailand takes its religious symbols very seriously. All Buddha images and statues must be treated with respect. It is illegal to sit on, climb, or deface Buddha statues, and doing so can result in fines or arrest.
Foreigners are prohibited from taking Buddha images out of the country without official permission from the Department of Fine Arts, even small souvenirs or miniature statues. Attempting to export religious artifacts without authorization is considered a serious offense.
It’s easy for visitors to get caught out, as some market stalls or street vendors openly sell Buddha statues or amulets without clarifying the legal restrictions. Always check whether an item has the proper export approval before buying.
Even Buddha tattoos, symbols, or images on clothing can cause offense. Some Thais may view these as disrespectful if placed on inappropriate parts of the body or treated casually. Visitors should exercise caution and avoid permanent or casual use of religious imagery on the body.
Monks should also be treated with respect. Avoid physical contact, especially for women, and dress modestly when interacting or entering temple grounds.
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Thailand is one of the most welcoming and culturally rich countries in Asia, but respect and awareness go a long way.
Tips to Start Planning Your Trip Now
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is a must. I never travel without it. I’ve been using SafetyWing for years.
Book Your Accommodation:
The best hotel rates for Thailand are found at Agoda.com.
Planning a Trip to Thailand?
You will find this this guide super useful.
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Jeff says
My wife told me this more than a decade ago. As a warm, easily perspiring farang from a colder climate, shirtless is how I am at home most times, but always don one before getting in the car.
Oct 30, 2025 at 5:45 am
Frank A says
Oct 28, 2025 at 7:10 pm
TheThailandLife says
Oct 28, 2025 at 8:40 pm