Thailand is a popular destination for tourists from around the world, but travelers must be aware of certain laws to avoid any problems.
This article is to be read in addition to this one: Things to do and not to do in Thailand, the essential things to know
The types of tourists who travel to Thailand are very different.
There are families, couples, backpackers, solo travelers, begging travelers and other quite bizarre individuals.
With its superb fine sand beaches, lush tropical jungles, temples and sunshine, it's the most popular destination in Southeast Asia.
And also an excellent starting point before exploring Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
But if you're considering visiting Thailand, here are a few things to know:
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Fishing for endangered fish
Screenshot of the video posted on TikTok of the tourist with their illegal catch.
We start with something that seems logical, but a case made headlines last August.
A tourist and fishing enthusiast shared a video on social media proudly showing off his catch.
The problem is that among the caught fish, there were endangered species.
See: A foreign tourist provokes the anger of Thais on social networks
His video sparked outrage among Thais and he has since been arrested by the police.
Smoking ban
Like many countries around the world, Thailand has banned smoking, except in designated areas, but it's easy for a tourist to get caught.
Smoking is prohibited on passenger and tourist boats, public transportation, workplaces, beaches and indoor public places.
The fine for violating the law is 100,000 baht (2,707 euros), one year in prison, or both.
See also: Cannabis is no longer an illicit drug in Thailand but it is prohibited to smoke in public places
What many tourists do not realize is that e-cigarettes are also prohibited and being caught in possession of an e-cigarette can result in a fine and/or imprisonment.
See: E-cigarette in Thailand: still illegal in 2025
Overstaying your visa
Photo: Visa Traveler
This problem has become so widespread in Thailand that a few years ago, a special task force was created to track down people who overstay their visa and has resulted in the deportation of hundreds of people.
If you are caught with an expired visa, you will be sent to the immigration detention center, which is reportedly quite unpleasant.
You will also be fined for each day of overstay, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht (541.58 euros), and will be blacklisted for a certain number of years, depending on the severity of your overstay.
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 racing is perfectly 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 go to Laos and other neighboring countries to get their dose of legal gambling.
See also: After legalizing cannabis, Thailand is considering the issue of casinos
There are, of course, illegal dens throughout the country and card games are often organized in homes.
If you're invited by a friendly local to come to his house to play cards, it's probably wise to politely decline.
There have been many cases of rigged card games, following which the unlucky foreigner had to withdraw a lot of money from the ATM or was arrested after a police raid.
Littering
Plastic waste in Thailand. Photo: Cynthia Chang
While locals and expats complain about trash being thrown anywhere in the country, many tourists have been caught for this offense.
Littering in Thailand is a crime.
Throwing a cigarette butt or spitting out chewing gum is a popular way to lose a bit of money while visiting Bangkok and other cities.
You risk a fine of 2,000 bahts (53.98 euros) and if you are caught throwing trash on one of the beaches, you risk up to 100,000 bahts (2,699 euros) in fines and/or one year in prison.
Adult films
Most adult entertainment sites are blocked in Thailand and it is illegal to manufacture or possess pornographic material.
It is unlikely that the police will raid your room while you are watching an adult movie, but it is one of the laws that most visitors do not think about.
See also:
Do's and Don'ts when visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand
Scams in Thailand: knowing and protecting yourself
Source: Bangkok Jack
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8 comments
More or less a disguised dictatorship, no more, no less!
Another trick by the dinosaurs! Make way for the young!
No smoking allowed, but smoking cannabis is not prohibited, we're losing our heads, anyway, I fortunately do neither one nor the other.
Just a way to extort tourists or Westerners.
If littering or throwing a cigarette butt were a crime, ALL Thais would be in jail.
Applies to the other things mentioned.
Continuing hypocrisy, e-cigarettes are on sale on Sukhumvit, just like sex-toy vendors.
It's curious that they don't receive fines or are threatened with prison.
As for the trash, it's everywhere and it's not the tourists who are responsible.
By threatening foreigners with prison, no one will come, it's clear.
Banning vapes and allowing cannabis is probably the only country in the world in this contradiction. Lobbies prevail.
One solution for the dinosaurs to understand is a boycott!
It's best not to go!
It's a way to fleece tourists.
It's Asian culture or tradition and it's very good, Chewing gum or spitting on the ground: what a horror.
Light cannabis is legal in Switzerland and it leads to abuses Fines could be imposed but prisons are already overcrowded and alcohol is no longer a reason for imprisonment.