Thailand Laws You Need To Know

Disrespecting the Thai royal family,,,

Lese Majeste is a law which was introduced in Thailand in 1908 and states that it's a serious offense to defame, insult, threaten or defile any image of the Thai royal family.

This also includes defacing Thai money, so don't step on the local currency, Thai baht (THB). It's against the law and could result in imprisonment.

Even talking about the Thai king and his family is generally frowned upon, especially in public areas. You can be arrested and sent to jail.

The legal drinking age and alcohol laws in Thailand...

The drinking age in Thailand is 20, and it's in the interest of bar owners to enforce this, as establishments do occasionally get raided by police looking for underage drinkers and patrons under the influence of illegal substances.

This doesn't mean you can't buy alcohol if you are underage – many people do – but we advise against it. Again, it can result in jail time.

Drinking alcohol is illegal in the following locations in Thailand:

Temples or places of worship
Pharmacies
Public offices
Education institutions
Petrol stations
Public parks

Caveats apply, for example, if a ceremony at a temple requires imbibing, in which case it is legally permitted.

The penalty for illegally drinking alcohol at one of the above locations is six months' imprisonment, and/or no more than a fine of 10,000 Baht.

In July 2017, Thai police announced the monitoring social media closely to further enforce the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (2008). This law prohibits "the display of logos and brands of alcoholic products in order to persuade people into drinking alcohol whether directly or indirectly." Anyone found breaking the law can be charged, so think twice before taking that selfie with the Singha by the pool or it may cost you a US$1,500 fine.

Photography and drone laws in Thailand

Photography

Street photography is generally allowed in Thailand, however there some places where you cannot take photos.

Some temples won't allow photography, while others are more relaxed but will still prohibit photographing images or statues of Buddha. Check before taking photos inside temples (if permitted) and avoid taking photos of people praying or worshipping.

Photography is forbidden inside bars and other venues in red light districts including Patpong and Cowboy.

If you want to take a photo with or of locals, including monks, always ask first. If it's permitted, don't forget to smile in your photo and thank the person with a wai (slight bow) afterward, especially if you are younger than the person you had the photo taken with.

Avoid giving money to children who ask for it if they end up in your photos, as it promotes a begging culture.

Taking photographs of the Thai royal family is also a no-no, as are photos of military posts and border points.

Drones

Want to put your drone in the air for a bird's eye view of it all? Think again. There are many regulations around operating drones in Thailand whether for recreational or commercial use.

Because drones have a camera, you will need permission from the relevant authorities.

You will need drone insurance and also have to apply for a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority Thailand (CAAT) well in advance of your trip, as the application can take anywhere from 75 to 104 days.