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Does Thailand have strict laws? Find out in this article. You'll learn about Penalties for Stepping on someone's property (watch out where you want to set up a picnic!) , Lese-majeste charges, Drug laws, Polygamy, and other important laws of Thailand. Then, read on for a more in-depth explanation. In addition, you'll learn about the Thai constitution. This law is Thailand's supreme law and it prevails over all other laws.
In recent years, there has been a spike in lese-majeste charges in Thailand. There's a few uncommon things you can't do in Thailand. While most of these cases are still in the investigation stage, people have been arrested for posting or liking offensive Facebook posts. The government briefly banned Facebook in Thailand in May 2017, but the company later withdrew its ban due to its inability to block illegal content. Human rights groups have also accused the government of using the lese-majeste law to silence peaceful dissent.
While the Thai government has promised to abolish the lese-majeste law, the country's royal family is resolutely refusing to do so. The royal family has been in power for centuries, and the country's government has resisted pressure to change that. However, the royal family has recently pushed back against the reform movement by making the country more democratic and inclusive. The government is also threatening to prosecute anyone who criticizes the royal family.
The current Thai drug laws have drastically reduced the penalties for a variety of offences relating to the use, import, and distribution of illegal drugs. There is now a maximum fine of THB1.5 million and a 15-year prison sentence for the most serious offenses. In the past, drug-related offenses could result in life imprisonment or the death penalty, but these have now been replaced with community service or electronic tracking devices. While these changes are welcome, they still highlight the inconsistency between the changing discourse.
Thai drug laws have many exceptions to their strict enforcement, but there are some common exceptions to this rule. Drug possession by a foreign national is often punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000, depending on the nature of the offense. Thai police will also often charge non-residents with possession of a drug if they are caught in the same room as someone with the drug.
Prior to the advent of the country's polygamy laws in 1935, polygamy was a widespread practice in Thailand. Polygamy was considered a form of unofficial marriage and was recognized under civil law. Under Thai law, wives were assigned to one of three categories: an official wife, a minor wife, and a "mia nois" (polygamous spouse). Although polygamy is now illegal, up to 20% of Thai women are still considered mia nois.
While the government of Thailand has not strictly prohibited polygamy, many marriages are not legally recognized and therefore leave wives with the status of "never married". In fact, in 2018, Telenisa reported 176 cases of polygamy in the country. In 15.9 per cent of these cases, the husband had remarried a woman without the consent of her current wife, and some women found out years after the marriage took place. Furthermore, in 9.7 per cent of cases, the husband failed to provide financial support to the current wife. Further, in 10.8 per cent of cases, the current wife's children no longer received any financial support from the husband.
There are some very strange laws in Thailand. Stepping on someone's property can land you in jail. Even chewing gum on the floor can land you in trouble. It's important to know your rights as a tourist in Thailand before you step on someone's property. For instance, it is illegal to sell drugs without their permission. Likewise, it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes, e-baraku, or vaporisers. Travelling without identification can land you in juvenile or adult prison. There are also strict laws about crimes against the monarchy, which can result in the death penalty. This is good to know before you plan your trip to Thailand.
Thai criminal law is based on civil law. The burden of proof is on the public prosecutor. Defendants are given the benefit of the doubt, and they will only be convicted of a crime if they have committed the crime, irrespective of their intent. The Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code contain the basic provisions for a criminal offense. The public prosecutor presents facts to show the defendant is guilty of the crime, and if proven guilty, he or she will be sentenced according to the laws of Thailand.
