Laws, fines & rules
Alcohol hours, cannabis, vapes, the passport carry rule and the tourist police.
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Thailand Fines for Tourists: Helmet, Alcohol, Litter, Beaches
The fines you are most likely to meet are small: up to THB 2,000 for riding without a helmet or for littering. Drinking during banned sale hours can cost up to THB 10,000, and smoking on a covered beach up to THB 100,000. Bringing in a vape is the big one, with a fine of up to THB 500,000.
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- LGBT+ Travel in Thailand: Safety, Marriage Law and VisasIs Thailand safe for LGBT+ travellers? Generally yes. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 23 January 2025, and it affects LTR and marriage visas.Verified
- Road Accident in Thailand: What to Do, in OrderAfter a road or scooter accident in Thailand: help the injured and call 1669, report to the police on 191, then tell your rental company or insurer.Verified
- Sunscreen Ban in Thai National Parks: Four ChemicalsThailand bans sunscreen with four chemicals in every national park, with fines up to THB 100,000. What to check on the label before you pack.Verified
- Is Thailand Safe for Tourists? Real Risks and Areas to AvoidIs Thailand safe for tourists? Violent crime rarely involves visitors; motorbikes, riptides and spiked drinks cause the trouble. Where to avoid, who to call.Verified
- Bringing Medication Into Thailand: Limits, Permits and PapersOrdinary medicine is fine for up to 30 days of personal use. Narcotic or psychotropic medicines need a Thai FDA permit first.Verified
- Renting a Scooter in Thailand: Licence, Helmet, Insurance and FinesRenting a scooter in Thailand: you need a licence that covers motorcycles, a helmet for rider and passenger, and cover that may fail without both.Verified
- Thailand Traffic Fines: Helmet THB 2,000, Speeding THB 4,000What Thai police fine most: no helmet up to THB 2,000, speeding up to THB 4,000, drink-driving up to 1 year in prison.Verified
- Thailand Royal and Etiquette Laws: Section 112 Carries 3 to 15 YearsWhich Thai rules are law and which are custom: section 112 carries 3 to 15 years, the flag up to 2 years, Buddha image export needs a licence.Verified
- Thailand Alcohol Ban Days: 2026 and 2027 DatesAlcohol sale is banned on five Buddhist days, with 2027 dates, exemptions, the election-day window and fines up to THB 10,000.Verified
- Is Weed Legal in Thailand for Tourists? Prescription OnlyTourists can buy cannabis flower in Thailand only with a prescription from a licensed practitioner, for up to 30 days of use.Verified
- Drone Rules in Thailand: Weight Bands, Height Limit and RegistrationThai drone rules by weight: registration and THB 1,000,000 insurance above 2 kg, a 90 m ceiling, and what tourists must do first.Verified
- Thailand Alcohol Hours: 11:00-24:00 and Drinker FinesAlcohol sale hours in Thailand are 11:00 to 24:00, and the drinker can be fined up to THB 10,000 during banned hours. Exemptions and banned days.Verified
- Thai Beach Smoking Ban: 24 Beaches, Fine to THB 100,000Which Thai beaches ban smoking and butts: 24 named beaches, with up to 1 year in prison or THB 100,000. Full list and smoking areas.Verified
- Thailand Drug Laws: Up to 15 Years for Category 1Thailand's Narcotics Code sets up to 1 year for use, up to 2 years for possession for use and up to 15 years for category 1 possession or sale.Verified
- Carry Your Passport in Thailand? A Copy Is Usually EnoughPolice may ask to check your passport, and a copy of the photo page is usually enough. Section 37 of the Immigration Act lists the duties of a temporary stayer.Verified
- Thailand Scams and How to Report Them: Numbers and StepsReport a tourist crime on 1155 and an online scam on 1441, then meet the investigator within 7 days.Verified
- Tourist Police Thailand: Call 1155 for Crimes Involving TouristsTourist police Thailand: call 1155 for crimes involving tourists, or use the free app. What they handle, where stations are and the report for insurance.Verified
- Thailand Vape Law: Import Ban, Up to 10 YearsE-cigarettes are banned imports in Thailand since 27 December 2014. Importing one carries up to 10 years, holding one knowingly up to 5.Verified
- What Not to Bring Into Thailand: Banned Items and LimitsPacking for Thailand? Leave vapes and narcotics at home, keep to 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol, and skip meat and fresh fruit.Verified