Local Rules for Travellers
Thailand is welcoming and easy-going, but several of its laws surprise visitors: vapes are completely illegal, cannabis is for medical use only, criticising the monarchy is a crime and drones must be registered. These are the rules worth knowing, checked against Thai Customs and the UK government's official travel advice for Thailand.
Cannabis use is restricted to medical purposes. You must not buy, possess or use it without a Thai-issued medical prescription, and recreational use is illegal. Taking cannabis out of Thailand without export permission is also illegal.
Thailand has strict laws against drug use, possession and trafficking. Possessing Class A drugs can lead to the death penalty.
Selling alcohol is restricted between midnight and 11am. This does not apply to licensed hotels, international airport terminals or authorised entertainment venues.
It is illegal to possess or use any vape, e-cigarette, pod, e-liquid or heat-not-burn device in Thailand. There are no exceptions for tourists or for personal use.
Smoking in public places is illegal and can be fined up to 5,000 baht. Use designated smoking areas.
Criticising the Thai monarchy (lèse-majesté) is illegal. The law also covers accusations about members of the Royal Family, past and present, and applies to comments made online.
Posting images of people drinking alcohol, or wearing clothing considered inappropriate, can be illegal in Thailand.
Police may ask to see your passport. If you do not have it with you, you could be asked to bring it to a police station within 24 hours; a copy of the photo page is accepted. Never leave your passport as a deposit, for example with motorbike or jet-ski rental shops.
By law you must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Driving a car or riding a motorbike without a valid licence could also invalidate your travel insurance.
Flying an unregistered drone in Thailand is illegal. Drones must be registered within 30 days of entering Thailand or of buying the drone there.
It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal, or to trade its parts, without a licence.
You can bring in duty-free up to 1 litre of alcohol and up to 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco. Thai Customs asks travellers carrying more than this to drop the excess in the customs box to avoid prosecution.
Source: Thai Customs Department ↗
Buddha images, works of art and antiques are restricted goods: moving them in or out of Thailand needs written permission from the Fine Arts Department. Medicines, food supplements and cosmetics are also restricted goods regulated by the Thai FDA.
Source: Thai Customs Department ↗
Under the Playing Cards Act of 1943 it is illegal to carry more than 120 playing cards (just over two packs).
Every rule on this page is labelled, so you can tell what is enforced by law from what is simply polite.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the source.