BANGKOK, THAILAND – A German tourist’s vaping fine has highlighted how unfamiliar laws and tighter enforcement in Thailand have turned small mistakes into expensive holiday risks.
How a German designer started his Bangkok holiday at a police station
Thomas, a 34-year-old graphic designer from Munich, had believed he was well prepared for his trip. His flight and hotel were booked and his anticipation was high, but on the second day he found himself sitting in a police station instead of watching the sunset from a sky bar. His offence was completely unknown to him and was pursued consistently in Thailand.
He had been vaping on the street. What was considered a nicotine alternative in Europe had been banned in the Kingdom of Thailand since 2014 – completely, including import, possession, purchase, sale and use. The ban applied without exception, including to tourists and including nicotine-free devices.
His story was mirrored by thousands of similar cases. Thailand had drastically tightened enforcement in the spring of 2025 on the instructions of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Anyone unaware of this paid the price at the latest at the airport or on the street.
Entering without surprises: passports, return tickets and the new digital card
Germans, Austrians and Swiss citizens were allowed to enter for 60 days without a visa, confirmed by the cabinet on 10 February 2026. Passports had to be valid for at least six more months on the day of entry. Anyone falling just short of that was stopped already at check-in at the departure airport.
Since 1 May 2025, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) had also been mandatory. The form had to be completed no earlier than 72 hours before arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th, separately for each person entering the country, including children. Anyone who appeared at the counter without valid TDAC confirmation could lose their boarding.
From the airport to the city: why the taxi rank remained the safest choice
As soon as the air-conditioned arrivals area was left, the first tests began. Offers for flat-rate rides from pushy touts were almost never worthwhile. The official taxi rank or reputable limousine services at the airport were the reliable alternatives.
Apps such as Grab had become established nationwide and showed the price before the journey. Anyone taking a regular taxi from the roadside insisted on the meter being switched on. A driver who refused simply drove without that passenger.
Pedestrians and zebra crossings: Thailand’s own rules on the road
Thailand ranked, according to the WHO, among the countries with the highest traffic accident rates worldwide. As a pedestrian, there was in practice no right of way even at zebra crossings. Motorcycles often travelled against the official direction of traffic, so looking in both directions before every step was mandatory.
Insisting on one’s own right of way in traffic did not protect against accidents. The basic rule was to act defensively and always assume one was not seen. A brief hesitation saved lives more often than insisting on priority.
Renting scooters in Thailand: licences and what mattered after an accident
A German class B car driving licence did not entitle the holder to ride a scooter in Thailand. A motorcycle licence of class A in the national licence was required, supplemented by an international driving permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention. Rental companies often handed over vehicles without checking, but this did not change the legal situation.
More serious than any fine at roadside checks was the insurance risk. Many travel insurers refused to pay if there was no valid motorcycle licence. For stays longer than three months, only a Thai driving licence was recognised.
Helmet rules tightened: up to 2,000 Baht for riding without protection
Since 1 June 2025, the stricter “Safe Roads Project” had applied throughout Thailand. Anyone riding without a helmet paid up to 2,000 Baht, four times more than before. If a driver wore a helmet but the passenger did not, the fine could double to up to 4,000 Baht.
The fine was the smaller part of the problem. Thailand recorded around 25,000 traffic deaths each year, about 80 percent of them motorcyclists. A fall without head protection changed lives permanently, and wearing a helmet only because of the police was the wrong reason, but not a bad outcome.
E-cigarettes: possession alone risked arrest and fines up to 30,000 Baht
The vaping ban in Thailand left no grey area. Import, purchase, sale, possession and use had been prohibited since 2014, with no exceptions for tourists. Nicotine-free devices were also banned. Between February and March 2025, 690 people were arrested nationwide in 666 cases and almost 455,000 products were seized.
The fine could reach up to 30,000 Baht, corresponding to around 800 euros at current rates. In serious cases, such as import, prison sentences of up to five years were legally possible. The solution was straightforward: the device stayed at home.
Cannabis in Thailand 2026: prescription required and costly penalties for public use
Since 25 June 2025, a medical model for cannabis had applied in Thailand. Free sale without a doctor’s prescription had ended. Cannabis flowers could only be purchased with a valid prescription from an approved Thai doctor. Of the former roughly 18,000 shops, more than 7,000 had closed.
Public consumption remained prohibited and was punished with fines of up to 25,000 Baht or up to three months in prison. Anyone attempting to take cannabis out of Thailand committed a serious criminal offence. The legal situation in this area changed rapidly, so checking for up-to-date information before travel was advisable.
Lèse-majesté: one of the world’s strictest laws on royal insult
The Thai monarchy enjoyed constitutional protection. The lèse-majesté law, Section 112 of the Criminal Code, punished any critical remark about the royal family – even in private conversation, online and by foreigners. Sentences of up to 15 years in prison were possible.
Even accidentally stepping on a banknote bearing the king’s image could be interpreted as an insult. Everything connected to the royal household was treated with the greatest restraint. This advice applied regardless of personal views.
Inside temples: dress codes, shoes and how to behave around monks
Temples were religious sites. Shoulders and knees had to be covered for both men and women. Entering prayer halls with shoes was prohibited. Anyone dressed too casually was stopped at the entrance in many temples or given rental clothing for a fee.
Additional rules applied in dealings with monks. Women were not allowed to touch monks or hand objects directly to them. In Thai culture, the feet were considered the most impure part of the body and should never be pointed at people or Buddha statues, while the head was regarded as sacred and should never be touched on a Thai person.
Gemstone scams and jetski traps: two classics still working in 2026
A friendly stranger, an alleged special offer and supposed profits from resale at home formed a gemstone scam that had been used for decades. Jewellery should be bought only from certified dealers. Anyone offered a ride by tuk-tuk drivers to a “special sale” was advised not to get in.
At beach jetski rentals, tourists were regularly charged for alleged pre-existing damage. The response was simple: photograph the vehicle all around before renting and have existing damage noted in the contract. In disputes, the tourist police could be reached on 1155.
Nightlife, drinks and bills: what mattered in bars and restaurants
Nightlife in Bangkok or Pattaya was lively and required attention. Drinks were never left unattended. In some venues, bills or so-called bar fines could reach unexpectedly high amounts, and anyone insisting on a price list before ordering avoided the most common surprise.
It was also worth checking restaurant bills. Occasionally, items appeared that had not been ordered, usually an error that was corrected after a calm enquiry. The calculator on a smartphone was the most discreet tool for checking.
Exchanging money and using ATMs: fees and fair rates
Money was exchanged only at official exchange bureaus or banks, never with private individuals on the street. Rates varied noticeably between providers, so a brief comparison could pay off. The exchange rate between the euro and the baht fluctuated, but at that time hovered around 37 to 39 Baht per euro.
ATMs charged a fixed foreign fee, usually 220 Baht per withdrawal. Withdrawing money less often and in larger amounts reduced these costs. Anyone taking out travel or health insurance for Thailand was well advised to check whether the policy covered foreign card fees.
Health insurance abroad is not a luxury: what private Thai hospitals cost
Thailand’s private hospitals operated at a high level and charged correspondingly. A serious accident could quickly lead to a six-figure bill in Baht. Hospitals often demanded a cost guarantee or advance payment before treatment.
Foreign health insurance that covered return transport to the home country was therefore not an optional precaution but a practical necessity. Anyone facing an emergency without insurance had to bear the full costs alone.
Thomas was lucky – and his story underlined the most important preparation
Thomas got off lightly. With the help of an interpreter, a fine of around 800 euros and a long day at the police station, he was allowed to continue his holiday, albeit with a much lighter travel budget. Others had been less fortunate, while the tourist police on 1155 were available and spoke English.
Thailand remained an exceptional destination for those who knew its rules. This was not a restriction but a form of travel competence. Travellers who arrived informed experienced the country’s unrivalled hospitality, while those who did not often paid tuition fees – sometimes literally.
“This article is for general information only and does not replace legal advice. Laws in Thailand may change at short notice. Please consult the latest travel advisories from your foreign ministry before departure. Currency figures are based on the March 2026 exchange rate and are indicative only.”
said editorial staff, note.