Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with official sources before relying on this.

Know Abroad

ThailandThailand

Local Laws & Customs

Last verified August 21, 2026

Written for U.S. passport holders

Public Conduct

  • Dress modestly at temples (shoulders and knees covered) and remove shoes before entering; insulting the monarchy (lèse-majesté) is a serious criminal offense, including online posts, taken far more seriously than casual political commentary would be treated in the U.S.
  • Alcohol sales are completely banned on major Buddhist holidays (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha), and retail sales are restricted between midnight and 11am generally.

Medicines You Can't Bring

  • Some ADHD stimulants and strong painkillers require prior notification or import documentation through Thailand's FDA; bring the original prescription and a doctor's letter for anything beyond a short personal supply.

Photography & Drones

  • Avoid photographing military installations and government buildings. Drones require registration with Thailand's NBTC and CAAT for most tourist use, and flying near airports, royal palaces, and government buildings is restricted.

Drugs & Alcohol

  • The legal drinking age is 20, higher than most countries on this page.
  • Vaping (e-cigarettes and vape juice) is completely illegal in Thailand, importing, possessing, or using one carries fines up to 30,000 THB (roughly $900) and potential jail time, this surprises a lot of travelers coming from places where vaping is normalized.
  • Thailand has strict drug laws with harsh punishments; possession can mean heavy fines or imprisonment, and trafficking can carry the death penalty (in practice, long-term imprisonment of 15–20 years is more common than execution, but the exposure is real).

Carrying ID

  • Carry your passport; officers may check it alongside your TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) QR code, so keep both accessible, not just packed away.

The Gotcha

Vaping being fully illegal (not just restricted) is a genuine surprise for a lot of American travelers, given how normalized it's become at home; it's treated closer to a drug offense than a smoking regulation, with real fines and jail exposure. Leave vapes at home rather than assuming Thailand treats them the way most U.S. states do.

Sources

This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.