Local law & customs
Following the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej there’s an official period of mourning of one year from 14 October 2016. You should respect the feelings and sensitivities of the Thai people at this time.
It’s a criminal offence to make critical or defamatory comments in any format, including online, about any member of the Royal family in Thailand. This is known as lèse-majesté and is punishable by a prison sentence of 3 to 15 years or longer for each instance. Foreign nationals have been convicted of lèse-majesté.
Conditions in prisons and other detention facilities in Thailand are harsh, with limited access to healthcare. There have been recent cases of detainees dying in custody.
Don’t become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment. If you are found guilty of being in possession of marijuana you could receive a long prison sentence and/or a heavy fine. If you’re found guilty of being in possession of 20 grams of a Class A drug at a point of exit from Thailand you risk receiving the death penalty. Amphetamines and ecstasy are regarded as Class A drugs and possession or trafficking carries the same penalty as heroin.
It’s a criminal offence to make critical or defamatory comments in any format, including online, about the King or other members of the Royal family in Thailand. This is known as Lèse Majesté and is punishable by a prison sentence of 3 to 15 years, or longer. Foreign nationals have been convicted of Lèse Majesté.
It is illegal to import more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand and this is enforced at customs at the airport on arrival; those who exceed the limit may be fined ten times the value of the items and face confiscation of the cigarettes.
It’s illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. Thailand is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It has also recently strengthened domestic legislation, banning trade in ivory. Those caught buying or trafficking these items could be prosecuted and receive prison sentences or fines.
When you travel
- Dress up when visit Temple, do not climb the statue to take a photo
- Absolutely not insult king, queen and monks as these people are highly respected by Thai People
- Attitude of respect to the older people, smiling attitude, friendliness
- When entering a Thai home you should leave footwear outside , and watch the house owner wear slippers in the house or not
- Do not touch the head of children
- No kissing in public and absolutely not loud in public
- Do not accept any suggestions from strangers and avoid buying on the street or from the street vendors
- Once out of the hotel you should lock the door and leave the room key at the reception, and should buy drinking water outside hotel at some mini marts, because it is much cheaper than buying at hotel
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