Dropping litter
Bins are rare in the streets, but dropping litter on the ground is banned. Texts cited by the press give a fine of up to 2,000 baht, and up to 10,000 baht on the roadway or in canals. Keep your wrappers in your bag until you find a bin, or take them back to the hotel. Do not feed stray animals in the parks.
Smoking
Smoking is banned in enclosed public places, shopping centres, air-conditioned restaurants, transport stations, on the beaches of several provinces and in most public parks. The fine can reach 5,000 baht according to the local press. Look for signposted smoking areas. For vaping the rule is even stricter: see e-cigarettes in Thailand.
Crossing and getting around
Drivers rarely stop at crosswalks: cross at the lights or by the footbridges, and above all do not count on pedestrian priority. Crossing outside crosswalks can be penalised, but we found no reliable amount. On a motorbike or scooter, a helmet is compulsory for the rider and the passenger, and the fine is in the order of several hundred baht according to the press. Riding without a valid licence, drink-driving and riding on pavements are also punished. A seat belt is compulsory in a car, including in the back in Bangkok. To get around without driving, see our guides BTS or MRT and Grab or taxi.
On the BTS and MRT
Drinking, eating and smoking are banned in the trains and stations. Give up seats reserved for monks, the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities. Travelling without open food or drink avoids a fine and stares.
Photos and drones
Photographing people in the street is generally tolerated, but ask before taking close-ups of monks, children or someone praying. In temples, respect the no-photo signs, never turn your back on a Buddha statue for a selfie and do not climb on statues. Drones must be registered with the Thai authorities (CAAT and NBTC) before flying; the Grand Palace and many official sites ban them. Check before flying, as penalties can be heavy.
The king, the monarchy and the anthem
Criticising, insulting or defaming the king, the queen, the heir or the regent is a criminal offence (lèse-majesté, section 112), punished by 3 to 15 years in prison per count, including for online messages and for foreigners. Do not write or joke about it. At the cinema, a video in praise of the king plays before the film and the audience stands: do as the others do. Do not step on a banknote or coin that has fallen on the ground: they carry the king's portrait. For everyday behaviour, see etiquette in Thailand and temple dress code.
Alcohol, cannabis and drugs
Alcohol: sales from 11am to midnight, none on some public holidays (see alcohol in Bangkok). Cannabis: reserved for medical use (see cannabis in Bangkok). Other drugs are strictly banned and heavily punished.
If you are fined
Ask for the reason and an official receipt. A fine is paid at the police station or with the administration, not in cash in the street without a receipt; if someone asks for money on the spot without paperwork, it may be a scam or corruption: see the scams in Bangkok. In case of a serious problem, call the tourist police on 1155 (see our guide health and emergencies in Bangkok) and contact your embassy. For other everyday rules, see rules and etiquette in Bangkok.
