Thailand: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Tough
Overall verdict for Thailand: Tough. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.
Thailand: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Animals, Religion
The 23 topics at a glance
Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed
💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💉MedicinesAllowed, with limits
🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits
🐾Animals🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
🚬SmokingAllowed, with limits
🍺AlcoholAllowed, with limits
❤️Sex & datingAllowed, with limits
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌Religion🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
🚗DrivingBanned or serious risk
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪WeaponsBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsRelaxed
🤝BehaviorAllowed, with limits
⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNRelaxed
🚁DronesAllowed, with limits
💵Cash & currencyRelaxed
🩺Vaccines & healthRelaxed
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestBanned or serious risk
How Thailand compares
With 7 of 23 topics flagged red, Thailand is stricter than 4 of the 9 other countries in South-East Asia (regional average: 7.1). Worldwide, Thailand ranks #37 of 148 for strictness (tied with 13 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Animals: flagged red here, while only 4 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Religion: flagged red here, while only 22 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Politics & protest: flagged red here, while only 28 of 148 countries are this strict.
What to watch most in Thailand
- Feeding wildlife — pigeons, monkeys, deer, dingoes — is an offence in a growing number of places, sometimes with four-figure fines.
- Getting close for a photo: national parks set legal minimum distances, and rangers enforce them.
- Buying souvenirs made from ivory, coral, turtle shell, reptile skin or shark: seized at customs, and prosecuted under CITES.
- Blasphemy remains a criminal offence in dozens of countries, sometimes with very heavy sentences.
- Proselytising — including handing out leaflets or discussing conversion — is illegal in several countries.
- Tattoos of religious figures have led to deportations and arrests in South-East Asia.
Thailand at a glance
CapitalBangkok
CurrencyThai Baht (THB)
LanguageThai
Emergency number191
Driving sideLeft
Mains voltage220 V
Calling code+66
Time zoneUTC+07:00
Plug typesA · B · C · F
Frequently asked questions
Is Thailand strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Tough. 7 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Animals, Religion, Driving, Weapons, Jail risk, Politics & protest), 12 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Thailand?
The strictest topics for travellers in Thailand are: Drugs, Animals, Religion, Driving, Weapons, Jail risk, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Thailand?
In LawsTravels: open Thailand, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.
What is the emergency number in Thailand?
In Thailand, dial 191. Capital: Bangkok. Currency: Thai Baht (THB). Main language: Thai.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Thailand?
In Thailand, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 220 V. Calling code: +66. Time zone: UTC+07:00. Plug types: A · B · C · F.
Countries with the closest profile
Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.
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