Beware of „manners“ in Thailand: what do you face for inappropriate behaviour and banned content?

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Beware of „manners“ in Thailand: Thailand has toughened punishments and uncompromisingly expels

Thailand is known as the land of smiles and relaxed atmosphere, but don't be fooled. Thailand's public morality laws are extremely strict and breaking them can result in anything from heavy fines to jail or a lifetime ban from entering the country. If you are relying on information from older bedecked books, you may be unpleasantly surprised. In fact, Thailand has in recent years moved to tighten penalties for misbehaviour.

Recent cases of tourists (Russian streamers or French tourists in tuk-tuks) who have committed sex acts in public have ended in deportation and blacklisting. What should you know to avoid trouble?

1. Public indecency: where is the line?

In Thailand, anything that offends local manners is considered a public nuisance. 
Pornography is considered a threat to social values, even when it is available in practice.

Just because something is available doesn't mean it's legal.

  • What is prohibited: Sexual intercourse in public, nudity (topless sunbathing on the beach is not allowed!), but also provocative posing on social media.

  • Penalties: According to the Thai Penal Code (section 388) for public indecency is punishable by a fine of up to 5 000 THB. However, if the act is classified as dissemination of obscene material (e.g. streaming or uploading a video), the Computer Crime Act comes into play, where the risk of imprisonment for up to 5 years and fines in the hundreds of thousands of Thai baht.

Why the reality in Thailand is different than the law

Although the laws are strict, their application is selective.

In practice:

  • the police deal with cases according to the situation

  • foreigners are checked more often

  • online cases are investigated more often than private possession

  • the problem arises especially after a stimulus or conflict

➡️ Important:


Also old online content may be the subject of an investigation.

In Thailand it is also criminal:

  • public sexual displays

  • obscene behaviour in public

  • sexual harassment

  • inappropriate online communication

More recent laws have extended the definition of sexual harassment to the online environment.

➡️ In practice, this means that:

  • explicit messages in chat can be a problem if the other person makes a complaint

  • provocative photos in public places can lead to investigations

2. Sexual aids and erotic material: Watch out in the customs zone!

In practice:

  • for personal use, they are often tolerated (customs officers often „turn a blind eye“)

  • for larger quantities they may be confiscated

  • for commercial purposes, there is a risk of investigation

Many tourists are surprised that items that are common here are illegal in Thailand.

  • Sexual aids: They are considered „obscene objects“. Importing them, possessing them for sale or even for personal use is technically illegal. They can be confiscated and you can be fined if you are randomly checked at the airport. 

  • Erotic magazines and videos: Thailand has zero tolerance for pornography. Importation of pornographic material may lead to prosecution under the Customs Act and the Penal Code (Section 287). Penalties can be up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to 60 000 THB.

3. The difference between possession, distribution and publication of pornography

Possession

Possession means having pornographic content:

  • on your mobile, laptop or tablet

  • on USB, hard drive or cloud storage

Legally, possession is problematic but often tolerated if it is for private use.

➡️ Exception: child pornography.
The latter is severely punished in Thailand - the risk of imprisonment.

Dissemination (distribution)

Dissemination includes:

  • sending videos or photos to others

  • sharing in chat groups (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord)

  • upload to website

➡️ The penalties are higher than for mere possession.

Online publishing

Online publishing is the riskiest form.

It is a criminal offence under the Computer Crime Act:

  • publishing pornographic content online

  • publishing obscene photographs or videos

  • monetization of erotic content (e.g. OnlyFans)

➡️ Also applies to social networks:

  • Instagram

  • TikTok

  • Facebook

  • OnlyFans

  • website

Penalties may include:

  • high fines

  • prosecution

  • up to several years' imprisonment

4. Deportation and Blacklisting

This is the biggest scarecrow for many people. If you get convicted of a crime related to morality:

  • Your visa will be cancelled immediately.

  • Serving the sentence (or paying the fine) is followed by Deportation at your own expense.

  • You will be assigned to blacklist - the ban can be for 5, 10 years or even for life (as in the case of the aforementioned Russian streamer who was banned for 99 years).

The biggest risks for tourists and expats

The most risky situations:

  • sharing pornography in groups

  • operating OnlyFans from Thailand

  • provocative photos in public places

  • content related to religion or monarchy

  • conflicts with partners or neighbours

  • child pornography (zero tolerance)

Practical recommendations for tourists and expats

Lawyers' recommendations:

  • do not bring pornographic content to Thailand

  • do not share erotic content

  • do not do business in pornography from Thailand

  • be careful on social networks

  • don't underestimate online communication

➡️ Basic Rule:


If the content could offend the public, may be considered illegal in Thailand.

The Council of our office:

Respect the local culture. What seems like „fun video on TikTok“, the Thai authorities perceive as gross insult to the country and threat to public order. If you get into trouble with the police, do not sign any documents, that you do not understand and contact professional help immediately.