Living & visas
What not to do in Thailand: laws, fines and etiquette
Thailand is a very welcoming country, and most of its rules are intuitive: respect people, temples and the law, and all will be well. But there are a few things newcomers do not expect and end up paying fines for. We gathered them in one place, with figures from official sources as of October 2026, and added a little Thai etiquette that instantly wins people over.
In short
- Tourists most often pay for three things: vaping (fully banned), riding without a licence or helmet, and smoking on the beach.
- Since 2025 cannabis is sold only on prescription, and drones must be registered within 30 days of arrival.
- The key etiquette rule: never raise your voice or embarrass anyone. With a smile almost everything gets solved.
In short: what definitely not to do
| What | Why | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Vaping or e-cigarettes | import, possession and use are banned | in practice a 5,000 – 30,000 ฿ fine, confiscation, possibly being held in the country until the case closes |
| Smoking on the beach | banned on popular beaches since November 2017 | a fine of up to 100,000 ฿ or up to a year in prison |
| Riding without a licence or helmet | a licence with a motorcycle category and a helmet are required | helmet fine up to 2,000 ฿ per person; insurance usually will not pay after an accident |
| Recreational cannabis | since late June 2025 only on a doctor's prescription | recreational use is illegal |
| Flying an unregistered drone | NBTC registration within 30 days | a fine of up to 100,000 ฿ or up to 5 years |
| Working without a permit | a work permit is required | a 5,000 – 50,000 ฿ fine and deportation |
| Overstaying your visa | overstay | 500 ฿ a day, up to 20,000 ฿, possible entry ban |
| Disrespecting the royal family | Section 112 of the Criminal Code, applies to foreigners too | 3 to 15 years in prison |
Vapes and e-cigarettes
Thailand bans the import, sale, possession and use of vapes, e-cigarettes, liquids and heated tobacco devices. There are no exceptions for tourists, and the police do check. In practice the fine is usually 5,000 – 30,000 ฿, the device is confiscated, and you may not be allowed to leave the country until the case is closed. The simplest solution: do not bring a vape at all.
Smoking and alcohol
- Beaches. Smoking on Pattaya Beach and other popular beaches has been banned since November 2017, with a fine of up to 100,000 ฿ or up to a year. There are usually designated smoking areas nearby.
- Alcohol sales hours. Since 29 May 2026, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, alcohol is sold from 11:00 to midnight without an afternoon break.
- Where you cannot drink. In temples, parks, petrol stations, government buildings and on public transport.
- Holidays. On major Buddhist holidays and election days alcohol sales are banned for 24 hours. Dates are in Pattaya weather and festivals by month.
- Age. You can buy and drink alcohol from 20.
Cannabis
Since late June 2025 cannabis is sold only on a doctor's prescription and for no more than 30 days. Recreational use, especially in public, is illegal, and taking it out of the country is prohibited with large fines. If you see shop signs, remember they now operate under the new rules.
Motorbikes and the road
- Licence. You need a national licence and an international driving permit with category A (motorcycle).
- Helmet. Since 1 June 2025 the fine for riding without a helmet is up to 2,000 ฿ for each person, rider and passenger.
- Insurance. Without the right licence, insurance usually does not pay after an accident, and private treatment is expensive. Details in Healthcare and insurance.
- Child seats. Children under 6 or under 135 cm must ride in a car seat or booster; the fine is up to 2,000 ฿.
The monarchy, temples and the Buddha
- The royal family. Thailand deeply respects the monarchy, and this is enshrined in law. Do not joke about the royal family, damage their portraits or step on banknotes bearing the King's portrait. In cinemas the anthem plays before the film and everyone stands.
- Temples. Cover shoulders and knees and take off your shoes at the entrance. Do not climb on statues for photos or turn your back to the Buddha for a selfie.
- Buddha images. A visible Buddha tattoo or a Buddha used as interior decor is seen as disrespectful. Taking Buddha images out of the country requires a permit from the Fine Arts Department.
Drones
You may bring a drone, but you cannot fly it unregistered. Register it with the NBTC within 30 days of arrival and obtain permission from the aviation authority CAAT, plus the Department of National Parks for flights in national parks. Without registration the fine is up to 100,000 ฿ or up to 5 years.
Documents and visas
- Passport. Foreigners must carry identification. In practice a photo or copy of your passport usually suffices, but the police may ask you to show the original within a day.
- Length of stay. Overstaying costs 500 ฿ a day, up to 20,000 ฿, and a long overstay can bring an entry ban. Details in Thailand visa exemption.
- Work. You cannot work without a work permit, including remotely for Thai clients. Since 28 August 2026, according to the UK Foreign Office, a foreigner can be deported without a conviction if their behaviour is deemed a threat to public order.
A little Thai etiquette
Thais forgive foreigners almost any slip, and they answer simple respect with enormous warmth.
- Do not raise your voice. The key idea in Thai culture is not to "lose face". Scolding someone in public or shouting only makes a problem harder to solve. A calm tone and a smile work better than any argument.
- Head and feet. The head is considered the "highest" part of the body and the feet the "lowest". Do not touch anyone's head, even a child's, do not point with your foot and do not put your feet on the table.
- Shoes. If there are shoes at the entrance to a home, shop or clinic, take yours off.
- A smile is not always "yes". "I'll try" or "we'll see" often means a polite "no". Ask gently and openly.
- The wai. This is a greeting with joined palms. If someone wais you, return it; with waiters and shop staff a smile and a nod are enough.
- Monks. Women should not touch monks or hand them things directly.
- Money. Hand it over with your right hand or both hands.
- Bargaining. Fine at markets and street stalls, with a smile. Not in shops with price tags, cafés with menus or app taxis.
- Tipping. Not obligatory but appreciated: round up a taxi fare, leave 20 – 50 ฿ for a service or 50 – 100 ฿ after a massage. If the bill already includes a 10% service charge, that is enough.
- Clothing. Swimwear and bare chests are for the beach; in town and malls it is better to dress.
- Spirit houses. Do not touch the small houses with offerings outside homes and hotels or put your things on them.
How to avoid scams
- Change money at banks and official exchange offices, not through private "helpers" with transfers to a card.
- Renting. Do not send a deposit to strangers from chat groups, especially if they rush you. Use agencies with an office and reviews.
- Tours are mostly the same across agents, so choose by convenience and reviews.
If something happens
The tourist police work around the clock on 1155, speak English and help with translation. The ambulance is 1669.
If you are looking for a home in Pattaya, we will help you choose the area and the condo.
FAQ
Can you vape in Thailand?
No. Importing, selling, possessing and using vapes and e-cigarettes is banned. In practice the fine is 5,000 – 30,000 baht and the device is confiscated.
Can you smoke on the beach in Thailand?
No, not on popular beaches including Pattaya since November 2017. The fine is up to 100,000 baht or up to a year in prison.
Is cannabis legal in Thailand?
Since late June 2025 only on a doctor's prescription and for no more than 30 days. Recreational use is illegal.
What is the fine for riding without a helmet in Thailand?
Since 1 June 2025 up to 2,000 baht for each person, rider and passenger.
Do I need to register a drone in Thailand?
Yes, with the NBTC within 30 days of arrival, plus CAAT permission. Without registration the fine is up to 100,000 baht.
What time is alcohol sold in Thailand?
Since 29 May 2026 from 11:00 to midnight. Sales are banned on major Buddhist holidays and election days.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Thailand safety, laws and cultural differences
- TAT News: alcohol sales rules from 29 May 2026
- TAT News: electronic cigarettes are illegal
- TAT News: temple etiquette
- TAT News: запрет курения на пляжах Таиланда с ноября 2017
- Royal Thai Embassy Copenhagen: cannabis regulations
- Royal Thai Embassy Athens: bringing and registering drones
- Thailand.go.th: penalties for working without a permit
- Pattaya Mail: 2,000 baht helmet fine from 1 June 2025
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Laws, fees and project terms change: before a deal we check the current conditions for the specific property.
