Laws to know

Thailand has a reputation, in part, founded, to be among the most permissive countries in all Asia, however there are some rules to respect, at the risk of having serious trouble.

Law to know for Thailand

Lese majesty

Rama X and her daughter

Thailand is one of the rare states where the crime of lèse-majesté [1] still takes place. It is even one of the most serious crimes because used by the power to suppress any challenge. Disrespect to the King or any member of the royal family, or even to his dog, whether by words, acts towards their people or their representations, images, symbols is heavily condemned.
One must be aware of it and remain vigilant both in the words and in the acts even unconscious towards all that bears royal figure: posters, banknotes and coins, postage stamps ... Immobilize a coin or a note on the ground with the foot is very frowned upon.

Stay beyond the deadline (overstay)

Overstay in Thailand... Not good Idea

It is necessary to respect the duration of the visa, an overstay [2] if it is discovered during a control gives place to a contravention, sometimes to an administrative incarceration and a prohibition of territory of variable duration.
An exceeding of a few days is liable to a fine of THB 500 per day of overtaking in the event that the excess is noted at the time of departure. If the overrun is found during a check during the stay it is the law that applies.
  [3]

Use and possession of drugs

Don't play with drugs in Thailand!

Whether it is the consumption or the sale of narcotics, the repressive measures in Thailand are very severe, and the penalties are very heavy. The offenses of consumption or possession (very small quantities) of amphetamines, marijuana, hashish and other similar substances are systematically punishable by a prison sentence ranging from six months to ten years. The offenses of consumption or possession of hard drugs (very small quantities) - heroin, opium, etc. - are punished by a prison sentence of two to twenty years. The mere possession of a certain quantity of narcotics is enough to establish the crimes of traffic, even of sale. They are punishable by death. [4].

Electronic cigarette

Not allowed in Thailand...

The electronic cigarette is illegal in Thailand. The law is often ignored by tourists coming to Thailand, although it is on the front page of the Thai embassy website and posted at airports. This concerns its use as much as the mere fact of owning one, even for personal use. The law provides for a fine and possibly a prison sentence of up to ten years.
Travelers are often confiscated with their vaping equipment on arrival. Exceptionally, they face fines that can be significant and have sometimes been imprisoned and deported. [5]

Cigarette prohibited on the beaches

Thailand don't want to see this!

More than twenty beaches are affected by local bylaws. These beaches have adequate signage and areas are reserved for smokers ... Failure to comply can result in a fine of 100,000 THB (2,500 € at the current rate)!

Have your passport on you.

Better to keep your passport with you

As a foreigner, tourists must have their passport on them permanently to be able to produce it in case of control. A photocopy is often accepted.

Driving license

Driving license... Not this one for Thailand...

To drive a vehicle in Thailand, whatever its power, you must hold a valid and valid license: car license or motorcycle license in your country and have an international license. Many renters do not carry out an audit which is mandatory despite the theoretical sanctions incurred. In the event of an accident a trip can turn into a nightmare, the insurance does not cover the accidents related to an offense. This clause is present in all insurance policies. In crime, it is a heavy aggravating circumstance. In civil matters, material and bodily injury can be very high.

Drones

Drones, in Thailand you can't do anything...

Drones have become democratized by becoming miniaturized and seeing their cost being reduced. Many people want to bring back "breathtaking" images of their trip. To fly a drone in Thailand, he must have made a declaration to the CAAT (Civil Aviation Authority Thailand) and obtained an authorization. The processing times, being particularly long it is difficult to use that during the first trip.
And once the authorization is obtained, there are many flight rules to respect.

Alcohol 

Drink in Thailand... Be careful...

The sale of alcohol is prohibited to people under twenty years.
It is forbidden to drink alcohol in temples, in public parks and administrations.

Fish in national parks

Not for fishing!!!

It is forbidden to feed fish in marine national parks and some other protected areas. This in order not to disturb the natural habits and behaviors of the fish.
This offense is punishable by a fine of 100,000 THB and up to one year in prison.

Collection of sand or shells

Don't collect it!

Collecting pieces of coral, shells and sand is prohibited by the 1947 Fisheries Act, the National Parks Act 1961 and the Environmental Quality Improvement and Conservation Act 1992. Section 53 of the Fisheries Act, for example, prohibits the possession of certain animals or aquatic products, including coral, without the corresponding authorization or license.
It is especially when taking the plane especially for a domestic flight checks are made. Staff at coastal airports (Krabi, Phuket, Samui ...) are particularly aware of this problem. We must also avoid buying souvenirs made of shellfish despite the tolerance they seem to enjoy.

Play cards

Never play in Thailand... Even for fun...

A law regulates the importation and use of playing cards in Thailand. It is recommended not to play the card in public and, most importantly, not to play money games that are banned in Thailand.

Offense of fighting

Keep calm!!!

In Thailand you can meet at the police station for a fight or a public altercation. One can have a fine for fighting and scandal in a public place, usually 500 THB.
When everyone finds himself at the post, the one who started, the one who hit first, or even both, are fined THB 500. But also for example: if a person bores you, harasses you and you lose your temper and you hit her in the presence of witnesses, you are wrong, she can go to the police with her black eye and you will have to pay the fine.

Offense of insults

Once again...Keep calm!!!

Insulting or accusing someone in the presence of others can also take you to the police station and sometimes even to justice if an amicable settlement is impossible. The insulted person (even for good reason) can ask for compensation and it will often cost you more than just a fine for a fight ... It must always be remembered that in Thailand, losing face to a person, even if you are right, is considered a serious offense.

[1] The crime of lèse-majesté is an ill-defined concept of law relating to different legal qualifications. It is generally connected with attacks on the sovereign, whoever he may be, a monarch, the people, a founding principle, and so on. and to the signs of his majesty, decisions, objects, persons and their representatives, etc.
In France, he disappeared from the penal code in 1832. A crime of offense to the highest representative of the State was reintroduced by the Third Republic. The offense against the Head of State is a crime, the penalty incurred being now a simple fine, since the law no 2013-711 of August 5, 2013.
In Denmark, defamation against the royal family is more punishable by law than against ordinary citizens.
In the Netherlands and Spain, the offense of lèse-majesté is punishable by a fine. In the Netherlands, however, no sentence has been pronounced for this reason for a long time.
In Morocco, convictions for "undermining the sacraments" are common.
In Thailand, insulting the ruler is punishable by prison terms of up to several decades. The crime of lèse-majesté was particularly reinforced from the years 2010 by military dictatorships.
On October 11, 2011, US citizen Lerpong Wichaikhammat, returned to Thailand one year before his conviction for the treatment of high blood pressure and gout, is arrested, tried and sentenced severely for making available on his blog - created four years previously - the download of The King Never Smiles by Paul M. Handley, a banned book in Thailand - he is also accused of having translated some articles or a part of Handley. Lerpong Wichaikhammat was finally pardoned on July 10, 2012. Following the May 2014 coup d'etat that toppled the democratic regime, lèse-majesté charges rose sharply, especially against opponents of the junta. The crime of lèse-majesté is denounced by many observers as a means of limiting freedom of expression and suppressing dissent. Several figures from the world of politics or business have been condemned and forced to leave the country, like the entrepreneur Nopporn Suppipat, now a political refugee in France.
In December 2015, a Thai worker was jailed for "sarcastic" comments to the king's bitch under the lèse majesté crime laws protecting the royal family. In June 2017, the United Nations called on Thailand to amend its lèse-majesté law.
[2] Exceeding stay
[3] If the overstay does not exceed 90 days and the fine is paid, the offender may leave the territory and return to Thailand, without being prohibited.
If you are surprised when an immigration officer or a police inspector passes the visa for more than 90 days, you end up in custody, in a prison, and then incarcerated in a detention center. administrative detention (Immigration Detention Center) pending the payment of the fine and the purchase of a ticket, finally expelled and inadmissible for a certain period.
In case of spontaneous declaration to the authorities, the fines are lower and the restrictions of stay less severe.

 || Inadmissibility | In case of arrest ||
| Exceeding Period | Inadmissibility Period | |
| Less than a year | 5 years ||
More than 1 year | 10 years ||
[4] While the country of smiles is home to 10% of Southeast Asia's inhabitants, it has 40% of its prisoners, 290,000, the majority of whom are linked to drugs. drugs progresses ....
[5] In which case they are incarcerated in an administrative detention unit of the immigration services.

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