This article offers the reader information about the legal penalties for breaking the law in Thailand.
Thailand is much like every other country in the world, in as much as they have laws and penalties when those laws are broken. For minor offences, fines are usually levied. For more serious criminal offences, there are prison sentences and Thai jails are not nice places. Thailand is one of the nations that has capital punishment, which is rarely carried out.
Capital Punishment
Executions have been carried out in Thailand for centuries. Ancient Siam would decapitate convicts, then the method changed to a machine gun firing squad and about 10 years ago, the death sentence became lethal injection. No foreigner would be executed in Thailand, a death sentence would be commuted to life in prison and with annual royal amnesties, a foreign prisoner could be home after7-8 years. To be on Death Row in a Thai prison would see you locked up for 23 hours a day and you would have leg irons welded on in some cases. There have been many books written by foreigners who spent years in a Thai jail and if you read an account, this will be all the deterrent you need to remain on the right side of the law.
Compensation Payments
If you are seeking financial compensation, there is an English-speaking litigation law firm in Thailand who can help you file a lawsuit. Of course, not all litigation lawsuits are successful. You need to consult with a lawyer who can tell you whether or not you should take legal action. There are many reasons you might want to file a lawsuit; it could be that you are unhappy with a product you purchased, like a new car that the dealership won’t fix, or perhaps someone will not repay a loan and you have no choice but to take legal action.
Drug Offences
Thailand has just decriminalised cannabis, which is great news for weed smokers; that doesn’t mean you can walk down the street smoking a joint, but there are weed cafes in Bangkok where you can sample some good bud! Illegal drugs are to be avoided at all costs, unless you want to be on an episode of Banged Up Abroad. If you are arrested for any reason in Thailand, you are advised to contact an English-speaking lawyer as soon as you can. Do not reply to any questions from the police until you have consulted with a lawyer. Remain calm and be compliant, otherwise things could quickly go south!
Traffic Violations
Thailand uses radar cameras on some roads. This means if you exceed 15kph of the speed limit, an image of your vehicle registration is captured and you are sent a fine notice. If you pass through a police traffic checkpoint, you will probably have to show your driving licence; if you haven’t got it with you, it depends on the officer’s mood whether or not the matter is taken further. Always be polite when communicating with the Thai police, who are always very respectful to foreigners.