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Royal Etiquette Self-Check
Thailand's lèse-majesté law (Section 112) carries 3–15 years per offense. Most travelers do nothing wrong. A few do. This tool flags risky scenarios, in plain English, no scaremongering.
Scenarios
What this solves
Travelers either over-react (think "don't mention the king") or under-react (think it's a joke). Neither is right. Know the difference.
How to read
- Safe: stand for the King's anthem in cinemas, photos on walls, normal polite behavior.
- Risky: arguing with police, making political jokes at bar.
- Severe: posting insulting content, defacing portraits, public drunken insults.
Limitations
- Actual enforcement varies by year and government — Section 112 prosecutions peaked 2014–2020.
- Foreigners have been deported for social media posts from before they arrived.
- This is general information, not legal advice.
FAQ
Can I take photos of royal portraits?
Yes, even posted on social media — that's respectful, not illegal.
Can I criticize the government?
Politely yes about policy. Never mix it with the monarchy. Thai people will tell you what they think privately.