Don't Let Thai Law Ignorance Ruin Your Holiday
http://www.lawsays.net/articles/11242/1/Dont-Let-Thai-Law-Ignorance-Ruin-Your-Holiday/Page1.html
Gregory Smyth
For nearly 30 years, Bamrung Suvicha Apisakdi Law Associates (BSA Law) has focused on providing reliable legal advice and services to the Thai and foreign business community in Thailand. We provide international standards of legal services while retaining the customs of the Thai business culture. By Gregory Smyth
Published on 12/16/2011
Few visitors to Thailand would be unaware of the severe penalties for carrying drugs into the south-east Asian nation, but there are other lesser known Thailand laws that also apply. Drinking alcohol in restricted areas could land you in jail while failing to declare cash or goods could put you on the bad side of the immigration service in Thailand.
Holiday preparations to foreign destinations shouldn't stop with booking accommodation and vaccinations. Shopping, nightlife and balmy beaches are among Thailand's appeal for tourists, but ignorance or contempt for Thai law and culture could spell disaster.
To avoid needing the services of a Thailand lawyer it's best to make yourself familiar with some of the customs and laws, especially those that differ from western principles. Remember if you breach Thai law, consulting with your embassy is a good first step but even they will not be able to get you out of jail or avoid fines.
Thai law company BSA Law is an international law firm servicing western clients seeking work, visa or business advice in Thailand. It ranks drug penalties, immigration and work regulations as some of the main Thai laws that catch tourists off-guard.
Alcohol
It's worth noting that the legal drinking age was increased from 18 to 20 when the Alcoholic Beverage Control act 2008 was passed into Thailand law.
Alcohol is banned in many public places including temples, petrol stations and public parks, although there can be exemptions. Breaching this ban could leave you needing a good law firm. In Thailand the penalty for drinking alcohol in banned places is up to six months in imprisonment or a fine of up to THB10,000.
Drugs
Thai penalties for drug offences may appear harsh by western standards and include lengthy jail terms and the death penalty. Travellers from countries that do not have a capital punishment (including Australia and the UK) need to be aware that Thailand law will still apply.
If you are caught carrying even small quantities of so-called 'soft' drugs the penalties can be severe under Thai law. Consulting with your embassy and an experienced Thai law firm will be necessary if you are arrested on drug-related charges.
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that anyone caught in possession of 20 grams of a Class A drug "will most likely be sentenced to death". This is one Thailand law that even the best Thailand law company may not be able to get you out of.
Customs
It's illegal under Thai law to bring more than 200 cigarettes per person into the country. The penalties include heavy fines and the confiscation. There are other restrictions on what you can bring in and out of Thailand, so it's worth checking with the immigration service in Thailand to avoid being caught out.
Carry ID
Tourists should carry their passports with them at all times. Under Thailand law tourists have been arrested for being unable to produce their identification when requested.
Working
Remember, if you're in Thailand on a tourist visa it's illegal to engage in work. A non-immigrant Visa 'B' is required for anyone wanting work in the kingdom, even on a casual basis. You will also need a Thailand work permit (most corporate legal services in Thailand offer work permit and visa applications).
It's also important to be sensitive to the legal and cultural aspects surrounding Thailand's monarchy. It is a criminal offence (as well as being culturally frowned upon) to be critical or defamatory toward of country's royal family and penalties under the Thai law Lese Majeste include imprisonment.
Don't let your dream Thailand holiday be spoilt by an ignorance of Thai law and customs. Do your homework and your memories will be of unspoilt beaches, exciting nightlife and exhausting shopping rather than meetings with a Thai law firm!
To avoid needing the services of a Thailand lawyer it's best to make yourself familiar with some of the customs and laws, especially those that differ from western principles. Remember if you breach Thai law, consulting with your embassy is a good first step but even they will not be able to get you out of jail or avoid fines.
Thai law company BSA Law is an international law firm servicing western clients seeking work, visa or business advice in Thailand. It ranks drug penalties, immigration and work regulations as some of the main Thai laws that catch tourists off-guard.
Alcohol
It's worth noting that the legal drinking age was increased from 18 to 20 when the Alcoholic Beverage Control act 2008 was passed into Thailand law.
Alcohol is banned in many public places including temples, petrol stations and public parks, although there can be exemptions. Breaching this ban could leave you needing a good law firm. In Thailand the penalty for drinking alcohol in banned places is up to six months in imprisonment or a fine of up to THB10,000.
Drugs
Thai penalties for drug offences may appear harsh by western standards and include lengthy jail terms and the death penalty. Travellers from countries that do not have a capital punishment (including Australia and the UK) need to be aware that Thailand law will still apply.
If you are caught carrying even small quantities of so-called 'soft' drugs the penalties can be severe under Thai law. Consulting with your embassy and an experienced Thai law firm will be necessary if you are arrested on drug-related charges.
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that anyone caught in possession of 20 grams of a Class A drug "will most likely be sentenced to death". This is one Thailand law that even the best Thailand law company may not be able to get you out of.
Customs
It's illegal under Thai law to bring more than 200 cigarettes per person into the country. The penalties include heavy fines and the confiscation. There are other restrictions on what you can bring in and out of Thailand, so it's worth checking with the immigration service in Thailand to avoid being caught out.
Carry ID
Tourists should carry their passports with them at all times. Under Thailand law tourists have been arrested for being unable to produce their identification when requested.
Working
Remember, if you're in Thailand on a tourist visa it's illegal to engage in work. A non-immigrant Visa 'B' is required for anyone wanting work in the kingdom, even on a casual basis. You will also need a Thailand work permit (most corporate legal services in Thailand offer work permit and visa applications).
It's also important to be sensitive to the legal and cultural aspects surrounding Thailand's monarchy. It is a criminal offence (as well as being culturally frowned upon) to be critical or defamatory toward of country's royal family and penalties under the Thai law Lese Majeste include imprisonment.
Don't let your dream Thailand holiday be spoilt by an ignorance of Thai law and customs. Do your homework and your memories will be of unspoilt beaches, exciting nightlife and exhausting shopping rather than meetings with a Thai law firm!