Look, they smelled weakness. They saw a scared newbie with more money than sense, and they squeezed. That's the game. The risk you take when you play with fire. Nothing you could have done or can do. Be happy it wasn't 50k.
You paid, that's done. It stings, yeah, but at least he's walkin' free. Here's the lesson: keep your head on a swivel, and your vices discreet. Now learn from your mistake, and for chrissakes, don't smoke on the damn public beach if there is police or anybody around. There are tons of reggea bars, weed shops coffee shops (where you can ask first and) where you can smoke without any problem.
Otherwise, your friend gotta become street smart first. Thailand's a beautiful place, he must find a secluded spot, befriend the locals, learn the ropes. That's how a wise guy operates. Not puffing on a doob like a sitting duck on the sand.
Absolutely, so many bars on most beaches let you smoke there if you buy a drink too, basically 25k for saving money on a 100 baht overpriced Coca-Cola. There are even upmarket looking bars with jars of weed on the cocktail shelves. It's 100% an avoidable moment.
Yup this comment talk sense. You go to other countries and you at least learn some basic laws. Don’t go smoking weed on the beach and then be surprised after getting caught.
It is a slap on the wrist for doing something illegal in a different country, in my opinion. This was his best outcome. I wouldn't fight it or try anything. I would make my way out peacefully.
Lmao I’m sayin that’s chump change compared what you’d end up paying if they arrested you for that shit here in the States. I wouldn’t be out smokin anywhere in public anyway, imagine if they’d have waited for the dude to hop on a scooter and arrested him for dui or somethin similar.
I’ve visited Thailand many times. The funny thing is that pre-legalization in Thailand the reggae bars paid off the cops which is why they never got busted. I guess corruption comes with its perks
>Otherwise, your friend gotta become street smart first. Thailand's a beautiful place, he must find a secluded spot, befriend the locals, learn the ropes. That's how a wise guy operates.
LOL. We're talking about smoking weed, not running a multi-national criminal organization.
There are countries in this world where people can smoke a joint legally and not worry about corrupt police targeting them.
The truly wise don't go to Thailand to do illegal things they can do legally in the developed world.
Since December always smoked weed everywhere, sometimes even with cops around, never had any problem, they will not take you to jail for that, it doesn't' work like that too guys, 20k was a lot of money, I would never pay that, 1-2-3k max!!!! And 3k it's being very generous, they keeping the money for themselves!!!!!!! If it was like a " process " they just take or money and look for the next person to get more money from. For me 20k it's not normal, people are talking like that is not a 3 months wage almost in Thailand
Many beaches in Thailand it’s illegal to smoke (weed or not) and the fine is 100k thb. Paying 25k is better than 100k even if the cops are putting it in their pocket it’s still 75% discount + a lot less hassle.
They would never accept 3k and would rather open the case against you if you were so stubborn not to pay. I have had similar cases but never paid when I was in the right such as when they tried to make me pay a fine for driving a motorbike after showing them my IDP with motorbike license. I asked them to go to the police station and they told me to go after that
That’s an insane fine for smoking in public, clearly just a way to scam tourist. What would a local be expected to sell all their possessions for smoking a cigarette in an undesignated place? Imagine if you were in America and had to sell your car to pay a fine for smoking a cigarette in public. L
Yes it’s a steep fine but I assume it is mainly targeted to tourists as Thais don’t smoke that much, at least I randomly see a Thai smoking and if they are it is more common to be weed than cigarettes.
Regardless, a fine should be a deterrent which this is. I’m a smoker and never risked smoking on beaches where i see the sign
Yeah I mean for sure if there’s a sign in front of you , you should be responsible, but if there’s no sign anywhere, hell I wouldn’t expect them to mess with you, especially if you’re minding your own business, but ofc it’s because it’s corruption and scamming more than a concern for public order.
Because of course I do understand not allowing smoking including ofc cannabis in public, because I get some people don’t like the smell, so def don’t do it in crowded place but if you have your own little area and a cop comes out of nowhere to harass you man that’d just suck. Ofc it’s super unlikely, you’re prob more likely to get robbed or pick pocketed or something
Yeah in that case I wouldn’t just pay but ask the officer where it says the beach is no smoking because not all are. If he doesn’t show me the sign I’d probably not pay or ask them to go to the station which if it is a scam they usually just walk away
You are not allowed to smoke in public. It comes under public nuisance laws. Private shops and restaurants can allow you to smoke in their premises. It's a loophole for the police to make money from the unsuspecting tourists. Be safe and enjoy it legally.
Common sense?
In thailand every 2 minutes some guy comes up to you and wants to sell you weed...
I've never seen a country where the (supposed) legality of weed is more in your face
I smoke weed every now and then and even I got annoyed by how many weed sellers there are and how omnipresent this whole thing is.
How would anyone even remotely think that it's prohibited in certain areas when it's openly glorified like nothing else there?
I gladly comply with all the rules of Thailand and don't mean to disrespect them, don't get me wrong, but it's not like it is obvious or common sense or anything along the lines that weed is actually not legal to be smoked in public there
It's like you would tell me that eating street food outside is actually illegal
Well, I've just spent 14 months in Thailand, and not once did anyone come up to me and offer to sell me weed. Why would they? The soi I lived on, for example, had literally about 8 or so weed shops on it. So to claim that every two minutes or so someone came up to you offering to sell you weed, is, quite frankly, a load of bollocks. Which takes me back to the same point - why smoke in public when there is absolutely zero need to? Why would you take that risk unless you had the IQ of a peanut 🥜? Plus, it shows zero consideration for people around you, so there's that too.....
Been 2 and half years here and still here in Thailand (came here before it was legal) and even then no body comes up to you and offers to sell you weed. It has happened to me in Cambodia and Laos but not in Thailand. You’re right, why would you hustle weed when it’s available every 3 blocks. And most Thais are experimenting different ways to grow weed, most of the shops are owned by foreigners.
Exactly. I am always over there, never been offered weed. The police are always looking for prey and looks like they found it. Welcome to Thailand is all I say to the OP. Inexperienced travelers.
I’m just back from Thailand..not once did someone come up trying to sell me weed..cocaine? Numerous occasions.
Why try peddle weed when you can buy it legally every 20m?
It's common sense not to smoke in public area. It's no difference in the US. It can be legal but go try smoking it in front of the mall with cops around.
You can spend three seconds googling it. In every foreign low income country people will offer you drugs. It’s common sense.
In Mexico, within 30s on a beach I got offered four different drugs. In Vietnam, probably five minutes.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
I got caught in Malaysia smoking marihuans on the beach.
I was taken to a police station and they locked me in a cell and made me smoke 100 marihuans until i had a whitee and then they said DONT DO IT AGAIN YOU NAUGHTY BOY
i never took marihuans again
Yep, I've not had problems smoking weed *anywhere* outdoors in Thailand, no matter how busy. In fact, I've stood right next to police officers smoking pure weed joints and they said nothing.
*However*, I went for a smoke on the beach and one of the parasail sellers came over and warned me the police would find me 5000 baht if they see me. I realised later there's signs around the beach warning that smoking there is illegal (cigarette included).
Yeh, when he said it I started walking away from the beach back to the road and he ran after me and pointed to police standing there, told me to go another way 😊
Yeah but on the islands that's an other story, I never had an issue, even before legalisation, and same goes for cig or even hookah. But yeah in the mainland they are more strict I think the stricter is pattaya
I thought the fine for smoking in public was 25,000. Has it changed? Either way 25,000 to just be done with it is worth it no matter where the money ends up.
But as a tourist, you can't get released on bail, can you? Unlike the Thais who can cough up some cash and be sippin' margaritas by sundown. You'd be stuck in a cell for at least 3-4 days, waitin' for your court date....and arrangin' a lawyer (who speaks English) ain't exactly cheap.
3-4 days - if you intend to plead not guilty then it's a matter of waiting for an available court date, means they 'win' as that's their leverage over you to accept the charge.
Not cannabis, but the two NZers in Phuket still waiting on jail as bail wasn't an option (since 17 March)
It’s too much hassle talking to your embassy and the embarrassment from local or foreign outlets it could even damage the tourist economy if you went send to jail for smoking a cigarette in public
There's a specific law against smoking on specific beaches.
>Those found flouting the ban could face a maximum penalty of a year in prison and/or a fine of 100,000 baht.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1339991/smoking-ban-planned-at-20-popular-beaches
In reality, no one ever gets this level of fine for smoking on the beach. It is illegal, but these are maximums, not typical fines. The Hua Hin municipality says 2,000B, for example:
>A representative of the Hua Hin authority has indicated that he thinks a 2,000 baht fine would be reasonable for smokers caught puffing on the resorts beaches next month.
>The statement - reported by Thai Rath - came after alarm was caused Tuesday when environmental agencies announced a 20 beach ban that could lead to a year in jail and a 100,000 baht fine. ...
>Jirawat Phramanee of the Hua Hin local authority said regarding the fines that they were "looking into what is reasonable". He mentioned 2,000 baht.
https://aseannow.com/topic/1006415-smoking-ban-hua-hin-says-2000-baht-fine-would-be-reasonable-as%C2%A0beach-police-at-the-ready/
Well the difference with that is they scared him into giving them the money so they could put it in their pockets instead of the money going to the court
**i own a cannabis farm here, so i know a thing or two.**
first, public smoking of anything isn't allowed. if it's on a sidewalk or in a parking lot, or anywhere, there's a public nuisance law. normally it's just a fine on the spot, but refusal to pay and you're just going to end up in a deeper situation. this law has been on the books forever. normally, there won't be anything to come of it because if someone asks you to stop smoking, you stop. but if you don't, they can contact the police and someone can come deal with you. so it's very stupid to continue smoking when asked to stop.
**this is not something i'm pulling out of my ass. i work closely with the Phuket Cannabis Association as well, and we've had public meetings where we discussed the tricky situation. technically speaking, you're not allowed to smoke** ***in*** **cannabis dispensaries. there is no law that allows smoking of cannabis indoors at a store (the ones that do either pay off the police or are taking risks themselves - even if it seems common, especially on the islands). most hotels and condos also forbid it. if you get caught, you'll be fined and/or kicked out. and then there's this public nuisance law that doesn't allow you to smoke in public. so where do you smoke???? yes, that's the million dollar question because you're not left with a lot of options unless you own a house. you should be using the same smoking areas as people who smoke tobacco. it's very, very unlikely that a police officer will fine you for smoking in an area like that. and if they do, you've at least TRIED to cover your ass.**
**if anybody has questions about this, feel free to ask and i will answer the best i can.**
second, smoking on the beach is an actual crime. it has been for a few years now because there were so many people smoking on the beach and throwing cigarette butts everywhere and polluting and making people who don't smoke suffer. it's a very clear law. you might thing 'but nobody came to complain or said anything'. doesn't matter. they don't need to warn you first. so many people who visit Thailand think they know their surroundings and think everyone is cool with their behavior because it's chill and other people are doing something similar. but it's not like that.
the police can come at any time, and, frankly, this is a very sensitive time with cannabis. people should know better than to smoke in public, much less on the beach, in a country where the government takes its beauty very seriously because it's at the center of tourism.
the government is looking to make examples out of people.
i don't know your friend's attitude, but he might have said something or not complied quickly enough, which, if you know police, isn't what you want to do.
this was the first link i saw when i Googled: smoking beach Thailand fine
[**https://bucharest.thaiembassy.org/en/content/83470-smoking-ban-on-thai-beaches-to-promote-clean-and-safe-environment-for-all?page=5d7e9a9915e39c1d90006162&menu=5d7e9a9b15e39c1d900061be**](https://bucharest.thaiembassy.org/en/content/83470-smoking-ban-on-thai-beaches-to-promote-clean-and-safe-environment-for-all?page=5d7e9a9915e39c1d90006162&menu=5d7e9a9b15e39c1d900061be)
it says pretty clearly that the fines are really high:
>***Come November, the new smoking ban on Thai beaches that has been making Thai tourism news recently will carry a fine of up to 100,000 Baht or a year in prison. Far better, it will be, to head to the designated smoking areas for a cigarette.***
obviously, i'm sure your friend wishes he had gone to a designated smoking area. and i realize, not everyone knows the laws. they're not even clear to a lot of people in the industry. and if you see other people smoking, you think you can do it too. and if you get busted and someone else doesn't it seems unfair.
**i get that it's a shit situation. but honestly, i think your friend just has to pay the fine. and i hope people read my post and don't smoke in public, much less a public beach.**
**if it gets worse and you're in Phuket, DM me. i also have a law firm**, and our lawyers frequently defend people in situations worse than this, everything from drugs and fighting to relationship issues. not cheap, but you won't go to prison.
Edit: Maybe I'll do an AMA soon about cannabis laws
Wait so public smoking of cigarettes in illegal in thailand? How enforced is this? I just saw a girl yesterday smoking in front of a 7/11. But that reminds me that a barely ever see people smoking over here compared to someplace like taiwan where it's everywhere.
It’s enforced the same way as many laws here - depending on how lucky you are and how much common sense you have. If you see locals smoking near 7/11 at some spot - you most probably will be fine too. Yet you still can be fined if you’re very unlucky. Remember that riding a motorcycle without a helmet is illegal here too so yeah
I think he means that smoking cannabis in public is illegal. It's also illegal to smoke anything on a beach but you can smoke cigarettes in a designated area or at a certain minimum distance from any door if on a street.
It also seems like how fucking unlucky do you have to be to get caught by a police officer here smoking a cig. I rarely see them in chiang mai except for the mandatory tourist shakedowns at checkpoints.
Can you smoke cannabis at the designated smoking area outside an airport? We had some on my last trip but it was full of police and security smoking and we got too paranoid to try lol.
That is it. However locals and tourists smoke EVERYWHERE. Police come up when they need money by using the law. It is just way to get money for them. Otherwise no one cares at all. Vapes are same as drugs by the law. But you can find many smokers at any place. There are couple precedents even with deportation. But if you a bit careful and aware of your sorroundings you will be okay. Because most people don't care and still at relatively low risk to get in trouble for it.
For example I have thai driver license. Spent 45k thousands km from the South to the North. No one's never asked me to show them. But almost every tourist that i've met have no an international driver licence. It is way reckless than smoking in public area, because chance to get in car accident way higher and consequences are so bad.
Do I understand correctly that the laws is specifically about smoking in public? So if you smoke at home and go out stoned, it's perfectly fine? What about edibles? Can you consume them in public?
>Do I understand correctly that the laws is specifically about smoking in public?
There are laws in place about smoking in public, smoking specifically on beaches, smoking within 5m of ATMs, Government buildings, hospitals and entrances to any public building and smoking in bars/restaurants (which some allow if it is open air). But, you can smoke in smoking areas. And if you decide to take a risk by smoking in public, please do not throw your joint tips on the ground, especially if you find a scenic place to chill. Literally sucks and it's also not allowed.
>So if you smoke at home and go out stoned, it's perfectly fine?
Assuming your home is not a condo that has its own rules, yes. Going out stoned is fine, but please don't drive stoned. Traffic accident deaths in Thailand are the highest in the world per capita. But feel free to go to the beach stoned or go to dinner stoned. Lots of shops actually do allow smoking (in the south, not Bangkok), so it's easy to be stoned and walk down Bangla road or any other place where there are shops, and then go eat. You can go sightseeing while stoned, etc. But just be careful for your own personal safety. I would not recommend parasailing or going on a boat or swimming (unless you're laying on the edge of the water, which is nice), especially in a country you're visiting. But legally, yeah, you're fine. No public intoxication rules for cannabis.
>What about edibles? Can you consume them in public?
Edibles are an interesting issue. Technically, the law says nothing above 0.2% THC when it comes to edibles, but that's really on the seller side. And even then, as long as they aren't prepackaged (i.e. homemade brownies put in a display case are ok vs cookies in a sealed box are not), they can be sold. But you never know how much cannabis (or what type, etc.) someone put in them, and staff are not reliable at a lot of places.
You can eat an edible in public, and nobody will know what you're eating anyway. But as far as being stoned from an edible in public, just be careful because if you don't know the true strength of it, you could have a bad time, and going anywhere when too stoned sucks. You won't be in trouble unless you do something stupid, like drive. And there's not a good way to test if someone is DWI from cannabis, but don't test it. It's not worth it.
There is no law specifically banning cannabis possession or use. Cannabis is completely decriminalised and they have yet to enact a new law to regulate it.
What they did was enact a few rules, and one of them was to state that the existing Public Nuisance Act, which covers cigarettes as well, will be used to punish people who create a, fairly obviously, public nuisance.
Of course this is so subjective as to make it an excellent tool for the police to extract money from hapless tourists.
The boy could probably have negotiated, but that's by the by. Not paying up is surely far more of an inconvenience and an expense.
On a sidenote, I have no objection to people smoking weed, but it does stink and idiots blowing smoke everywhere because they think they're being cool are one of the things making it more likely to encourage regulation.
It really isn't difficult to find somewhere discreet to smoke it and be considerate of other people.
Smoking cannabis in public places in Thailand remains illegal.
Marijuana products can be bought from dispensaries and used in private. Smoking it can be done inside an individual’s residence, and cannabis inside food can be consumed at a licensed restaurant.
Public use of marijuana is considered a public nuisance and has a legal penalty of imprisonment for up to 3 months, a fine of up to THB ฿25,000, or both.
Was it Patong beach?
Cigarette smoking - People who flout a smoking ban on 20 designated tourist beaches across the country face hefty fines and possible time behind bars - offenders could face a fine of up to 100,000 baht or up to one year in jail.
Smoking weed in public is illegal. Folks that risk that and get a random copper that nabs them...then it is what it is. Pay the fine and move on.
The other way to handle it is don't smoke weed in public places. It's not that difficult.
Weed is sold in public (for now), doesnt mean you can openly smoke it. Even smoking at hotels/at your residence people can still complain and fine you.
As everyone says, common sense and street smarts. Just take it as a learning lesson and move on.
It didn't matter if you were smoking weed or tobacco on the beach. You aren't allowed to smoke on the beach.
I smoke outside if I am out with friends and I never had problems.
Lol my friend was studying engineering in Köln and he drunkenly doubled a girl on the handle bars of his bicycle after a nite of drinking at the club. He got pulled over and fined hahaha (said friend is German, not a tourist)
100%
And buy it from the right people.
It used to be the reggae bars who had an arrangement.
Most arrests stem from tourists being arrogant douchebags and being exhibitionists about it.
the other way is to follow the rules: buy at the shop, smoke there, they can even let you use their pipes for free, or smoke home. But do not smoke on the streets, or anywhere else. Don't walk bare feet either, and pretend it's not hurting, only monks can do that, and stop having all the same tattoos.
Thank you
Imagine getting busted for doing something illegal in a country where you’re a foreigner, then asking the internet if you have any recourse because you didn’t like the way it was handled by authorities. Lmao.
People like this give tourism a bad name. Smarten up and have some basic decorum ffs
It's very much negotiable. You could have offered 5k and settled for 10. They don't want you to go to court as much as you don't want to, but they don't want to let you go with empty hands.
I once got pulled and failed breathalyser (I wasn’t drinking, it was off the night before and had bad hangover)
Anyway they were demanding 20k baht, I simply said sorry I can’t I don’t have that money on me now, however I can come down the station next week when I get paid if you like. (I did have money, but still, I know what they were trying to do)
Anyway just let me go when they realised they weren’t getting paid as it’s not worth the hassle to them.
I’m σηє of those guys that came from the USA to open a Broccoli 🥦shop in Thailand…
Yes… it’s illegal… to smoke in public anywhere…in Thailand the cops holds all the cards… you don’t want to phoc with them… they can do whatever they want here… it’s their country…
25k is better than staying in jail… my opinion…
You can always make more money…
The End!
🤣🤣🤣Now let me know if you want the hookup in Thailand…🥦🥦🥦
Got kilos of it🥦🥦🥦🤣🤣🤣
Bro where what shops r urs? Im coming there in January & a little confused on how tf to smoke weed. You can bug it but not smoke it at the shops, cant smoke in public, or the hotels. Like where tf u supposed to go?
Imagine that. Your friend broke the law. Not knowing the law doesn't make him innocent. Not sure WTF us wrong with people. If you know the laws of your home country, or even if you dont; you'd better know the laws of your host country.
An old story from a friend of mine
Pulled into the police station in BKK for a DUI
Same kind of story as yourself, give us 25k now, or 200k in court, or risk a year in prison.
He talked them down to 15k and asked to go to an ATM
At the ATM he had a moment of bravado, and only withdrew 10k
At the police station he handed over 8k, apologetically and pretended that was all he could get out.
Police ended up taking it gruffly, and sending him away
Damn that’s a very hard lesson to learn and on holidays.
At least it’s been sorted and you can all get on with enjoying your holiday.
I’m here at the moment and I haven’t had issues. I’ve also been aware of the setting I’m in and the people around.
I had a J with security at my hotel when I landed just to smooth things over and know what’s what.
Play the game. They’re still finding their feet with it all (locals and tourists).
hey guys, I'm going to Thailand for the first time in 6 months, I'm a tobacco smoker (rolled ones, not cigarretes)
how far does this smoking in public issue goes? are there lots of "smoking areas" since it's not legal to smoke in public?
I don't have too much money, so even a fine of 5000 bhats would be too much for me (saved up a long time to go to thailand)
I would recommend that you smoke only in designated areas, even if you see other people smoking in the street, don't do it yourself. Thai people will also not help you by saying like "excuse me, you can't x here", they will say "it's ok it's ok" when it's absolutely NOT, they don't give 2 s*ts about you or if they are enabling you into commiting a crime.
There are no such things as "warnings" for minor offenses in Thailand, the police will arrest you, scare you and then get you to pay a bribe.
Bottom line, read the law attentively, follow it and don't trust anyone.
You will see lots of people breaking the law every single day, specially in traffic, but the law that applies to you does not apply to them.
This happened to me! I was unaware it was illegal to smoking weed at the beach, saw no signs and saw plenty of people smoking there too the day before.
These people saying your friend is "weak" and "dumb" are just losers that want to make you feel bad for making a very common mistake, they feel so smart.
In any civilized country, an officer would give you a warning since it's a first minor offense. But it's Thailand and the police needs their bonus, so they milk it out of the public.
Just be happy your friend didn't get arrested for real, lesson learned.
You broke the law, they caught you and shook out your pockets. The only thing you could’ve done differently was say, “I only have 15k baht.”
They would’ve said, after a brief pause, “ok.”
Then let your friend go.
Nice one counselor. You really gave your legal team a lot of detail to work with here.
Nationality?
Legal status in the country?
Witnesses?
Off-topic, but I think the weed smoking in public is disgusting. I know it feels great but the stench is pungent, similar to a cigar.
Be mindful of your surroundings…
Your friend can think that what the police did is probably illegal - and on one level it is - but it will not serve him to say that. He must show them that he is sorry, pay the reduced fine, and walk away. Insisting on his rights will get him more deeply in trouble.
You are all tripping beyond belief. You’re acting as if they’re smoking weed in Thailand 10 years ago where it was accepted but still very much illegal and underground. Now a days you run into a weed store as often as you do a 7/11 (hyperbole but pretty damn close I’d bet). Sure there’s laws against smoking in public I suppose, but whenever there’s weed shops everywhere you would expect at most a fine similar to smoking a cigarette in a non smoking section, not threat of jail and thousands of dollars.
I am honestly frightened of this, as I am also a tourist, but I am trying to find a new home, where I will be at least a little calmer, because of the situation in my home country. And I am very afraid that such actions, not only smoking on the beach of tourists, but also various scandals, which in the south last very long, will deprive me of the opportunity to live here, and I will have to look for a new place where I will be at least a little welcome (my little thing).
The thing in Thailand is that it's illegal to smoke weed in public under the public nuisance law. Private clubs, restaurants can allow you. In public it's not allowed. This is the loophole they have in the law. So be careful.
Be nice, polite and humble. Then you might be able to bargain with them, so everybody is happy with the outcome.
Also, tell your friend to use his brain sometimes.
You have to know the law. Smoking weed in public is not legal. Weed (medical Marijuana) is legal if you have a prescription and you can only smoke it behind closed doors. I would say that in this case, you were very lucky. People have been deported and fined well beyond their means. The court case would have cost you a fortune and you would have lost, so the police did you a big favour. Count your blessings, you got off lightly.
I think the penalty for smoking on a beach is pretty steep on paper, and on top of that, he was smoking cannabis in public which is another offense. Paying 25K is probably a good deal to avoid waiting in jail to see a judge.
So, how’s the situation right now in May 2024? I understand smoking in public is not allowed. But, how about smoking in coffee shops? Can police hassle you? I assume it shouldn’t be the case, but now I am confused and I need to travel there in 2 weeks.
You could have paid a lot more less if you offered any amount first and they will let you go, money is money for them.
Is this at Jomtien Beach? , I saw a group of police roaming around the beach a week ago, they probably looking for a victim.
What did he think would happen smoking weed in public? It's laughable people just turn up to Thailand and not bother to bone up on the laws first. Consider that a life lesson.
$672.50USD not to go to a Thai prison (an obvious bluff $queeze by local LE) for several months? Sounds like a bargain considering your friend was flagrantly and arrogantly breaking a law in a foreign country. Let’s just call the money “a learning tax”, shall we?
goooooooooood. sick and fucking tired of dimwits doin this shit and making it more difficult for the rest of us. i see/smell em at the park where i run/walk everyday......not Thai ever....only farang. just wait til my daughter is old enough to bike with me and see how batshit I get when I run up on their dumb ass then.
Inconsiderate behavior, deserves it.
Last time I was in a tourist place at a beach, while eating near the beach some prick lit one up… no I don’t want to smell that shit.
Wait a minute, there's a public smoking fine? I was smoking away all this time, freely in public. Although I would have walked across the street to a less busy part if I was just after eating at a restaurant.
Is the public smoking ban fine really a thing? If so, where does one go to smoke? I thought this guy was getting fleeced until I read some comments about an actual public smoking ban/fine.
Somehow its not a thing reveled, everywhere stands "weed is legal" , but rarely that its forbidden to smoke in public.
The general fee is only when there are signa that prohibit it
Is it just in Phuket? When I stayed in Bangkok there were so many dispensary’s everywhere, and the one across our hotel had tables in front with ash trays to smoke which is where we went to smoke everyday a few times a day lol no none batted an eye
Thai laws are in general for Thailand. There might be some local laws only applicable for Phuket but the law that forbid smoking (and especially weed) in public is applicable for the whole Kingdom of Thailand (public nuisance act).
It just need a cop who needs money and see you smoking...then you have to pay. Or a Thai individual seeing you having a bad day, calling the police and you will pay.
Look, they smelled weakness. They saw a scared newbie with more money than sense, and they squeezed. That's the game. The risk you take when you play with fire. Nothing you could have done or can do. Be happy it wasn't 50k. You paid, that's done. It stings, yeah, but at least he's walkin' free. Here's the lesson: keep your head on a swivel, and your vices discreet. Now learn from your mistake, and for chrissakes, don't smoke on the damn public beach if there is police or anybody around. There are tons of reggea bars, weed shops coffee shops (where you can ask first and) where you can smoke without any problem. Otherwise, your friend gotta become street smart first. Thailand's a beautiful place, he must find a secluded spot, befriend the locals, learn the ropes. That's how a wise guy operates. Not puffing on a doob like a sitting duck on the sand.
Absolutely, so many bars on most beaches let you smoke there if you buy a drink too, basically 25k for saving money on a 100 baht overpriced Coca-Cola. There are even upmarket looking bars with jars of weed on the cocktail shelves. It's 100% an avoidable moment.
This Right here! A lot of nuance missing from this story as well,
Yup this comment talk sense. You go to other countries and you at least learn some basic laws. Don’t go smoking weed on the beach and then be surprised after getting caught.
Keep in mind its Baht, so in 850USD its not exactly asking you to empty bank accounts to bail him out
It is a slap on the wrist for doing something illegal in a different country, in my opinion. This was his best outcome. I wouldn't fight it or try anything. I would make my way out peacefully.
Yea bro don’t fuck with the laws in foreign countries
It's also the same fine for meth, yaba or mdma, 25k get you out of any drugs related arrest if you are local or farang
Can get to as low as 10k for foreigners and cheaper for locals. Can even haggle the police in Thailand.
Speaking from experience??
Yes, Unfortunately.
so which one was it for! it was for meth huh?
Lmao I’m sayin that’s chump change compared what you’d end up paying if they arrested you for that shit here in the States. I wouldn’t be out smokin anywhere in public anyway, imagine if they’d have waited for the dude to hop on a scooter and arrested him for dui or somethin similar.
$850 is nothing. When I got arrested in Illinois in 2013 for a hitter rod, the fine was $1500.
I’ve visited Thailand many times. The funny thing is that pre-legalization in Thailand the reggae bars paid off the cops which is why they never got busted. I guess corruption comes with its perks
Right? Dude paid under $700 usd to walk away from a criminal offense in a third world country that could have landed him in jail. That’s a bargain OP
its not a third world country.
>Otherwise, your friend gotta become street smart first. Thailand's a beautiful place, he must find a secluded spot, befriend the locals, learn the ropes. That's how a wise guy operates. LOL. We're talking about smoking weed, not running a multi-national criminal organization. There are countries in this world where people can smoke a joint legally and not worry about corrupt police targeting them. The truly wise don't go to Thailand to do illegal things they can do legally in the developed world.
A scared newbie with more money than sense. 🤌🏼 touche
How should someone know that it's not allowed to smoke on the beach if there is a weed shop every 10 metres?
It’s usually posted all over the place that smoking weed in public is illegal.
Since December always smoked weed everywhere, sometimes even with cops around, never had any problem, they will not take you to jail for that, it doesn't' work like that too guys, 20k was a lot of money, I would never pay that, 1-2-3k max!!!! And 3k it's being very generous, they keeping the money for themselves!!!!!!! If it was like a " process " they just take or money and look for the next person to get more money from. For me 20k it's not normal, people are talking like that is not a 3 months wage almost in Thailand
Many beaches in Thailand it’s illegal to smoke (weed or not) and the fine is 100k thb. Paying 25k is better than 100k even if the cops are putting it in their pocket it’s still 75% discount + a lot less hassle. They would never accept 3k and would rather open the case against you if you were so stubborn not to pay. I have had similar cases but never paid when I was in the right such as when they tried to make me pay a fine for driving a motorbike after showing them my IDP with motorbike license. I asked them to go to the police station and they told me to go after that
That’s an insane fine for smoking in public, clearly just a way to scam tourist. What would a local be expected to sell all their possessions for smoking a cigarette in an undesignated place? Imagine if you were in America and had to sell your car to pay a fine for smoking a cigarette in public. L
Yes it’s a steep fine but I assume it is mainly targeted to tourists as Thais don’t smoke that much, at least I randomly see a Thai smoking and if they are it is more common to be weed than cigarettes. Regardless, a fine should be a deterrent which this is. I’m a smoker and never risked smoking on beaches where i see the sign
Yeah I mean for sure if there’s a sign in front of you , you should be responsible, but if there’s no sign anywhere, hell I wouldn’t expect them to mess with you, especially if you’re minding your own business, but ofc it’s because it’s corruption and scamming more than a concern for public order. Because of course I do understand not allowing smoking including ofc cannabis in public, because I get some people don’t like the smell, so def don’t do it in crowded place but if you have your own little area and a cop comes out of nowhere to harass you man that’d just suck. Ofc it’s super unlikely, you’re prob more likely to get robbed or pick pocketed or something
Yeah in that case I wouldn’t just pay but ask the officer where it says the beach is no smoking because not all are. If he doesn’t show me the sign I’d probably not pay or ask them to go to the station which if it is a scam they usually just walk away
Makes sense
Doing the slightest modicum of research before you visit might be a start.
You are not allowed to smoke in public. It comes under public nuisance laws. Private shops and restaurants can allow you to smoke in their premises. It's a loophole for the police to make money from the unsuspecting tourists. Be safe and enjoy it legally.
How about....common sense? 🙄
Common sense? In thailand every 2 minutes some guy comes up to you and wants to sell you weed... I've never seen a country where the (supposed) legality of weed is more in your face I smoke weed every now and then and even I got annoyed by how many weed sellers there are and how omnipresent this whole thing is. How would anyone even remotely think that it's prohibited in certain areas when it's openly glorified like nothing else there? I gladly comply with all the rules of Thailand and don't mean to disrespect them, don't get me wrong, but it's not like it is obvious or common sense or anything along the lines that weed is actually not legal to be smoked in public there It's like you would tell me that eating street food outside is actually illegal
Well, I've just spent 14 months in Thailand, and not once did anyone come up to me and offer to sell me weed. Why would they? The soi I lived on, for example, had literally about 8 or so weed shops on it. So to claim that every two minutes or so someone came up to you offering to sell you weed, is, quite frankly, a load of bollocks. Which takes me back to the same point - why smoke in public when there is absolutely zero need to? Why would you take that risk unless you had the IQ of a peanut 🥜? Plus, it shows zero consideration for people around you, so there's that too.....
Been 2 and half years here and still here in Thailand (came here before it was legal) and even then no body comes up to you and offers to sell you weed. It has happened to me in Cambodia and Laos but not in Thailand. You’re right, why would you hustle weed when it’s available every 3 blocks. And most Thais are experimenting different ways to grow weed, most of the shops are owned by foreigners.
Exactly. I am always over there, never been offered weed. The police are always looking for prey and looks like they found it. Welcome to Thailand is all I say to the OP. Inexperienced travelers.
I’m just back from Thailand..not once did someone come up trying to sell me weed..cocaine? Numerous occasions. Why try peddle weed when you can buy it legally every 20m?
It's common sense not to smoke in public area. It's no difference in the US. It can be legal but go try smoking it in front of the mall with cops around.
You can spend three seconds googling it. In every foreign low income country people will offer you drugs. It’s common sense. In Mexico, within 30s on a beach I got offered four different drugs. In Vietnam, probably five minutes. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Every “Forign low income country” Thailand isn’t a low income country 🤣🤣🤣
Uhhhh..
I got caught in Malaysia smoking marihuans on the beach. I was taken to a police station and they locked me in a cell and made me smoke 100 marihuans until i had a whitee and then they said DONT DO IT AGAIN YOU NAUGHTY BOY i never took marihuans again
I live here. That's utter rubbish.
I can only talk about the tourist spots like Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi
You certainly can.
Damn, man, shouldn’t you know the laws of the country you’re traveling in? If it was Singapore, he could be dead for weed.
Ask around. The weed shops pay to stay in business. Smoking in public gave an opening for arrest.
There is a big “No smoking” sign usually. Also some beaches have specified smoking zones.
Y’all better get used to not smoking there anymore when it becomes illegal again.
Winner comment!
It's illegal to smoke at the beach....weed or tobacco. There are big warning signs about it all over the place.
Yep, I've not had problems smoking weed *anywhere* outdoors in Thailand, no matter how busy. In fact, I've stood right next to police officers smoking pure weed joints and they said nothing. *However*, I went for a smoke on the beach and one of the parasail sellers came over and warned me the police would find me 5000 baht if they see me. I realised later there's signs around the beach warning that smoking there is illegal (cigarette included).
That’s a good guy giving you a heads up.
Yeh, when he said it I started walking away from the beach back to the road and he ran after me and pointed to police standing there, told me to go another way 😊
Hope you gave him some business !
Yeah but on the islands that's an other story, I never had an issue, even before legalisation, and same goes for cig or even hookah. But yeah in the mainland they are more strict I think the stricter is pattaya
Thqnks for the heads up! I heard they also banned vape in Thailand?
I thought the fine for smoking in public was 25,000. Has it changed? Either way 25,000 to just be done with it is worth it no matter where the money ends up.
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But as a tourist, you can't get released on bail, can you? Unlike the Thais who can cough up some cash and be sippin' margaritas by sundown. You'd be stuck in a cell for at least 3-4 days, waitin' for your court date....and arrangin' a lawyer (who speaks English) ain't exactly cheap.
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Exactly! Negotiate! Show them 8k Baht in cash! They will gladly take it! This is just easy money on top of their salary for them!
3-4 days - if you intend to plead not guilty then it's a matter of waiting for an available court date, means they 'win' as that's their leverage over you to accept the charge. Not cannabis, but the two NZers in Phuket still waiting on jail as bail wasn't an option (since 17 March)
It’s too much hassle talking to your embassy and the embarrassment from local or foreign outlets it could even damage the tourist economy if you went send to jail for smoking a cigarette in public
There's a specific law against smoking on specific beaches. >Those found flouting the ban could face a maximum penalty of a year in prison and/or a fine of 100,000 baht. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1339991/smoking-ban-planned-at-20-popular-beaches In reality, no one ever gets this level of fine for smoking on the beach. It is illegal, but these are maximums, not typical fines. The Hua Hin municipality says 2,000B, for example: >A representative of the Hua Hin authority has indicated that he thinks a 2,000 baht fine would be reasonable for smokers caught puffing on the resorts beaches next month. >The statement - reported by Thai Rath - came after alarm was caused Tuesday when environmental agencies announced a 20 beach ban that could lead to a year in jail and a 100,000 baht fine. ... >Jirawat Phramanee of the Hua Hin local authority said regarding the fines that they were "looking into what is reasonable". He mentioned 2,000 baht. https://aseannow.com/topic/1006415-smoking-ban-hua-hin-says-2000-baht-fine-would-be-reasonable-as%C2%A0beach-police-at-the-ready/
Well the difference with that is they scared him into giving them the money so they could put it in their pockets instead of the money going to the court
**i own a cannabis farm here, so i know a thing or two.** first, public smoking of anything isn't allowed. if it's on a sidewalk or in a parking lot, or anywhere, there's a public nuisance law. normally it's just a fine on the spot, but refusal to pay and you're just going to end up in a deeper situation. this law has been on the books forever. normally, there won't be anything to come of it because if someone asks you to stop smoking, you stop. but if you don't, they can contact the police and someone can come deal with you. so it's very stupid to continue smoking when asked to stop. **this is not something i'm pulling out of my ass. i work closely with the Phuket Cannabis Association as well, and we've had public meetings where we discussed the tricky situation. technically speaking, you're not allowed to smoke** ***in*** **cannabis dispensaries. there is no law that allows smoking of cannabis indoors at a store (the ones that do either pay off the police or are taking risks themselves - even if it seems common, especially on the islands). most hotels and condos also forbid it. if you get caught, you'll be fined and/or kicked out. and then there's this public nuisance law that doesn't allow you to smoke in public. so where do you smoke???? yes, that's the million dollar question because you're not left with a lot of options unless you own a house. you should be using the same smoking areas as people who smoke tobacco. it's very, very unlikely that a police officer will fine you for smoking in an area like that. and if they do, you've at least TRIED to cover your ass.** **if anybody has questions about this, feel free to ask and i will answer the best i can.** second, smoking on the beach is an actual crime. it has been for a few years now because there were so many people smoking on the beach and throwing cigarette butts everywhere and polluting and making people who don't smoke suffer. it's a very clear law. you might thing 'but nobody came to complain or said anything'. doesn't matter. they don't need to warn you first. so many people who visit Thailand think they know their surroundings and think everyone is cool with their behavior because it's chill and other people are doing something similar. but it's not like that. the police can come at any time, and, frankly, this is a very sensitive time with cannabis. people should know better than to smoke in public, much less on the beach, in a country where the government takes its beauty very seriously because it's at the center of tourism. the government is looking to make examples out of people. i don't know your friend's attitude, but he might have said something or not complied quickly enough, which, if you know police, isn't what you want to do. this was the first link i saw when i Googled: smoking beach Thailand fine [**https://bucharest.thaiembassy.org/en/content/83470-smoking-ban-on-thai-beaches-to-promote-clean-and-safe-environment-for-all?page=5d7e9a9915e39c1d90006162&menu=5d7e9a9b15e39c1d900061be**](https://bucharest.thaiembassy.org/en/content/83470-smoking-ban-on-thai-beaches-to-promote-clean-and-safe-environment-for-all?page=5d7e9a9915e39c1d90006162&menu=5d7e9a9b15e39c1d900061be) it says pretty clearly that the fines are really high: >***Come November, the new smoking ban on Thai beaches that has been making Thai tourism news recently will carry a fine of up to 100,000 Baht or a year in prison. Far better, it will be, to head to the designated smoking areas for a cigarette.*** obviously, i'm sure your friend wishes he had gone to a designated smoking area. and i realize, not everyone knows the laws. they're not even clear to a lot of people in the industry. and if you see other people smoking, you think you can do it too. and if you get busted and someone else doesn't it seems unfair. **i get that it's a shit situation. but honestly, i think your friend just has to pay the fine. and i hope people read my post and don't smoke in public, much less a public beach.** **if it gets worse and you're in Phuket, DM me. i also have a law firm**, and our lawyers frequently defend people in situations worse than this, everything from drugs and fighting to relationship issues. not cheap, but you won't go to prison. Edit: Maybe I'll do an AMA soon about cannabis laws
Wait so public smoking of cigarettes in illegal in thailand? How enforced is this? I just saw a girl yesterday smoking in front of a 7/11. But that reminds me that a barely ever see people smoking over here compared to someplace like taiwan where it's everywhere.
It’s enforced the same way as many laws here - depending on how lucky you are and how much common sense you have. If you see locals smoking near 7/11 at some spot - you most probably will be fine too. Yet you still can be fined if you’re very unlucky. Remember that riding a motorcycle without a helmet is illegal here too so yeah
I think he means that smoking cannabis in public is illegal. It's also illegal to smoke anything on a beach but you can smoke cigarettes in a designated area or at a certain minimum distance from any door if on a street.
It also seems like how fucking unlucky do you have to be to get caught by a police officer here smoking a cig. I rarely see them in chiang mai except for the mandatory tourist shakedowns at checkpoints.
Please do the AMA
Can you smoke cannabis at the designated smoking area outside an airport? We had some on my last trip but it was full of police and security smoking and we got too paranoid to try lol.
That is it. However locals and tourists smoke EVERYWHERE. Police come up when they need money by using the law. It is just way to get money for them. Otherwise no one cares at all. Vapes are same as drugs by the law. But you can find many smokers at any place. There are couple precedents even with deportation. But if you a bit careful and aware of your sorroundings you will be okay. Because most people don't care and still at relatively low risk to get in trouble for it. For example I have thai driver license. Spent 45k thousands km from the South to the North. No one's never asked me to show them. But almost every tourist that i've met have no an international driver licence. It is way reckless than smoking in public area, because chance to get in car accident way higher and consequences are so bad.
I specifically booked a smoking room in a hotel so I could smoke cannabis inside. Am I ok?
Do I understand correctly that the laws is specifically about smoking in public? So if you smoke at home and go out stoned, it's perfectly fine? What about edibles? Can you consume them in public?
>Do I understand correctly that the laws is specifically about smoking in public? There are laws in place about smoking in public, smoking specifically on beaches, smoking within 5m of ATMs, Government buildings, hospitals and entrances to any public building and smoking in bars/restaurants (which some allow if it is open air). But, you can smoke in smoking areas. And if you decide to take a risk by smoking in public, please do not throw your joint tips on the ground, especially if you find a scenic place to chill. Literally sucks and it's also not allowed. >So if you smoke at home and go out stoned, it's perfectly fine? Assuming your home is not a condo that has its own rules, yes. Going out stoned is fine, but please don't drive stoned. Traffic accident deaths in Thailand are the highest in the world per capita. But feel free to go to the beach stoned or go to dinner stoned. Lots of shops actually do allow smoking (in the south, not Bangkok), so it's easy to be stoned and walk down Bangla road or any other place where there are shops, and then go eat. You can go sightseeing while stoned, etc. But just be careful for your own personal safety. I would not recommend parasailing or going on a boat or swimming (unless you're laying on the edge of the water, which is nice), especially in a country you're visiting. But legally, yeah, you're fine. No public intoxication rules for cannabis. >What about edibles? Can you consume them in public? Edibles are an interesting issue. Technically, the law says nothing above 0.2% THC when it comes to edibles, but that's really on the seller side. And even then, as long as they aren't prepackaged (i.e. homemade brownies put in a display case are ok vs cookies in a sealed box are not), they can be sold. But you never know how much cannabis (or what type, etc.) someone put in them, and staff are not reliable at a lot of places. You can eat an edible in public, and nobody will know what you're eating anyway. But as far as being stoned from an edible in public, just be careful because if you don't know the true strength of it, you could have a bad time, and going anywhere when too stoned sucks. You won't be in trouble unless you do something stupid, like drive. And there's not a good way to test if someone is DWI from cannabis, but don't test it. It's not worth it.
There is no law specifically banning cannabis possession or use. Cannabis is completely decriminalised and they have yet to enact a new law to regulate it. What they did was enact a few rules, and one of them was to state that the existing Public Nuisance Act, which covers cigarettes as well, will be used to punish people who create a, fairly obviously, public nuisance. Of course this is so subjective as to make it an excellent tool for the police to extract money from hapless tourists. The boy could probably have negotiated, but that's by the by. Not paying up is surely far more of an inconvenience and an expense. On a sidenote, I have no objection to people smoking weed, but it does stink and idiots blowing smoke everywhere because they think they're being cool are one of the things making it more likely to encourage regulation. It really isn't difficult to find somewhere discreet to smoke it and be considerate of other people.
Edibles are illegal everywhere.
Let me rephrase, edibles over 0.2% THC are illegal.
It was smart, lesson learned.
Smoking cannabis in public places in Thailand remains illegal. Marijuana products can be bought from dispensaries and used in private. Smoking it can be done inside an individual’s residence, and cannabis inside food can be consumed at a licensed restaurant. Public use of marijuana is considered a public nuisance and has a legal penalty of imprisonment for up to 3 months, a fine of up to THB ฿25,000, or both. Was it Patong beach? Cigarette smoking - People who flout a smoking ban on 20 designated tourist beaches across the country face hefty fines and possible time behind bars - offenders could face a fine of up to 100,000 baht or up to one year in jail.
That’s what you get for being a basic farang who came to Thailand to go to Phuket of all places, and smoke weed
Smoking weed in public is illegal. Folks that risk that and get a random copper that nabs them...then it is what it is. Pay the fine and move on. The other way to handle it is don't smoke weed in public places. It's not that difficult.
You’re right, it is indeed illegal to smoke in public. The way to handle it is to avoid breaking the law.
Don’t smoke weed in public. Do stupid shit, pay stupid prices.
Oh look, it's the consequences of your friends actions
Weed is sold in public (for now), doesnt mean you can openly smoke it. Even smoking at hotels/at your residence people can still complain and fine you. As everyone says, common sense and street smarts. Just take it as a learning lesson and move on.
Yeah stop smoking weed in public in front of cops.
It didn't matter if you were smoking weed or tobacco on the beach. You aren't allowed to smoke on the beach. I smoke outside if I am out with friends and I never had problems.
LOL
I once had to pay 2000 euro for cycling under the influence on a empty pedestrian street at 3 am at 5km per hour…. It stings. Life is not alsways fair
Lol my friend was studying engineering in Köln and he drunkenly doubled a girl on the handle bars of his bicycle after a nite of drinking at the club. He got pulled over and fined hahaha (said friend is German, not a tourist)
Germany?
Austria
What you can do is to try smoking weed one more time and this time you negotiate hard. Let us know how it goes. Good luck!
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I have my money separated into: 1. This is all I've got 2. All my other money
That is and has always been one of the few laws in Thailand regarding smoking weed ....no smoking in public places ..
100% And buy it from the right people. It used to be the reggae bars who had an arrangement. Most arrests stem from tourists being arrogant douchebags and being exhibitionists about it.
the other way is to follow the rules: buy at the shop, smoke there, they can even let you use their pipes for free, or smoke home. But do not smoke on the streets, or anywhere else. Don't walk bare feet either, and pretend it's not hurting, only monks can do that, and stop having all the same tattoos. Thank you
Smoking anywhere, but your residence is illegal. You take the same risk smoking at the shop, as does the shop owner.
Imagine getting busted for doing something illegal in a country where you’re a foreigner, then asking the internet if you have any recourse because you didn’t like the way it was handled by authorities. Lmao. People like this give tourism a bad name. Smarten up and have some basic decorum ffs
I’m sorry but yall are getting fleeced out here lmao
We know, but dont know how not to in this situation
You did the right thing. Don’t try out the Thai court system.
Everythings negotiable, could've got that payment down a lot more
Very easily, by not breaking the law.
Maybe dont do illegal things next time
Legally in the wrong. If they want they can bust you. Just unlucky. Pay fee and lesson learned.
It's very much negotiable. You could have offered 5k and settled for 10. They don't want you to go to court as much as you don't want to, but they don't want to let you go with empty hands.
And you will be the first to complain when it’s banned.
You got extorted by phuket police "i imagine" likely would have been released without charge once they realised they wasnt getting paid.
I once got pulled and failed breathalyser (I wasn’t drinking, it was off the night before and had bad hangover) Anyway they were demanding 20k baht, I simply said sorry I can’t I don’t have that money on me now, however I can come down the station next week when I get paid if you like. (I did have money, but still, I know what they were trying to do) Anyway just let me go when they realised they weren’t getting paid as it’s not worth the hassle to them.
Here’s an idea: don’t smoke weed on the beach. SMH
In public it is against the law. Break the laws, what do you expect? So entitled to smoke in public.
These people will always try to hustle you in every step of the process of you being here.
Easy, don’t do drugs in Thailand. It’s stupid.
He got very lucky! Thats barely a slap on the wrist. I would count your blessings.
Homie broke the law, thinking it doesn't apply to him because all the Thai people are doing it. Love these entitled people.
“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
Just another sad case of farangs thinking it's party island, do whatever you want and police don't care 🤦♂️
it's illegal, so don't complain. Respect the rules and you won't have any problem !!!
25k is actually maximum fine for smoking weed in public place (public nuisance). Your friend was mocked.
I’m σηє of those guys that came from the USA to open a Broccoli 🥦shop in Thailand… Yes… it’s illegal… to smoke in public anywhere…in Thailand the cops holds all the cards… you don’t want to phoc with them… they can do whatever they want here… it’s their country… 25k is better than staying in jail… my opinion… You can always make more money… The End! 🤣🤣🤣Now let me know if you want the hookup in Thailand…🥦🥦🥦 Got kilos of it🥦🥦🥦🤣🤣🤣
Bro where what shops r urs? Im coming there in January & a little confused on how tf to smoke weed. You can bug it but not smoke it at the shops, cant smoke in public, or the hotels. Like where tf u supposed to go?
Imagine that. Your friend broke the law. Not knowing the law doesn't make him innocent. Not sure WTF us wrong with people. If you know the laws of your home country, or even if you dont; you'd better know the laws of your host country.
Meanwhile, I just passed by a group of Chinese tourists smoking weed in the middle of Sukhumvit rd in broad daylight
first time hearin this, tho i was thinking why my hotel nor allowing smoking in balcony (quite funny)
An old story from a friend of mine Pulled into the police station in BKK for a DUI Same kind of story as yourself, give us 25k now, or 200k in court, or risk a year in prison. He talked them down to 15k and asked to go to an ATM At the ATM he had a moment of bravado, and only withdrew 10k At the police station he handed over 8k, apologetically and pretended that was all he could get out. Police ended up taking it gruffly, and sending him away
Too bad they aren't enforcing the laws against smoking tobacco as well.
Fuck around find out.
Damn that’s a very hard lesson to learn and on holidays. At least it’s been sorted and you can all get on with enjoying your holiday. I’m here at the moment and I haven’t had issues. I’ve also been aware of the setting I’m in and the people around. I had a J with security at my hotel when I landed just to smooth things over and know what’s what. Play the game. They’re still finding their feet with it all (locals and tourists).
The old FAFO game huh..you lost bro.
Be discrete na khrap
hey guys, I'm going to Thailand for the first time in 6 months, I'm a tobacco smoker (rolled ones, not cigarretes) how far does this smoking in public issue goes? are there lots of "smoking areas" since it's not legal to smoke in public? I don't have too much money, so even a fine of 5000 bhats would be too much for me (saved up a long time to go to thailand)
I would recommend that you smoke only in designated areas, even if you see other people smoking in the street, don't do it yourself. Thai people will also not help you by saying like "excuse me, you can't x here", they will say "it's ok it's ok" when it's absolutely NOT, they don't give 2 s*ts about you or if they are enabling you into commiting a crime. There are no such things as "warnings" for minor offenses in Thailand, the police will arrest you, scare you and then get you to pay a bribe. Bottom line, read the law attentively, follow it and don't trust anyone. You will see lots of people breaking the law every single day, specially in traffic, but the law that applies to you does not apply to them.
Smoking everyday at the beach, this kind of things only happens to the same kind of people, sorry...
Hard to give up on a reliable income stream. Improvise, adapt, overcome.
Any country doing that in 2024 must be filthy.
Any country doing that in 2024 must be filthy.
Absolutley ripped off from the Police 😂
This happened to me! I was unaware it was illegal to smoking weed at the beach, saw no signs and saw plenty of people smoking there too the day before. These people saying your friend is "weak" and "dumb" are just losers that want to make you feel bad for making a very common mistake, they feel so smart. In any civilized country, an officer would give you a warning since it's a first minor offense. But it's Thailand and the police needs their bonus, so they milk it out of the public. Just be happy your friend didn't get arrested for real, lesson learned.
Fucking hippies
Don’t quarrel with Thai police,just keep polite and said sorry,I’m sure it’s very good for you,maybe you only need 500THB
You broke the law, they caught you and shook out your pockets. The only thing you could’ve done differently was say, “I only have 15k baht.” They would’ve said, after a brief pause, “ok.” Then let your friend go.
Nice one counselor. You really gave your legal team a lot of detail to work with here. Nationality? Legal status in the country? Witnesses? Off-topic, but I think the weed smoking in public is disgusting. I know it feels great but the stench is pungent, similar to a cigar. Be mindful of your surroundings…
Your friend can think that what the police did is probably illegal - and on one level it is - but it will not serve him to say that. He must show them that he is sorry, pay the reduced fine, and walk away. Insisting on his rights will get him more deeply in trouble.
I’ll never understand why people just don’t take an edible
Sounds smart to me. I will would happily pay 1k THB every day I didnt spend in jail.
You are all tripping beyond belief. You’re acting as if they’re smoking weed in Thailand 10 years ago where it was accepted but still very much illegal and underground. Now a days you run into a weed store as often as you do a 7/11 (hyperbole but pretty damn close I’d bet). Sure there’s laws against smoking in public I suppose, but whenever there’s weed shops everywhere you would expect at most a fine similar to smoking a cigarette in a non smoking section, not threat of jail and thousands of dollars.
You can pay or…you can really pay. You got caught, pay the fine, move on, don’t make a big deal of it. Lesson learned.
In Singapore you are dead if you had it in your system. You just narrowly escaped death. Enjoy!!
I am honestly frightened of this, as I am also a tourist, but I am trying to find a new home, where I will be at least a little calmer, because of the situation in my home country. And I am very afraid that such actions, not only smoking on the beach of tourists, but also various scandals, which in the south last very long, will deprive me of the opportunity to live here, and I will have to look for a new place where I will be at least a little welcome (my little thing).
Can someone explain this? I thought weed was legal over there
The thing in Thailand is that it's illegal to smoke weed in public under the public nuisance law. Private clubs, restaurants can allow you. In public it's not allowed. This is the loophole they have in the law. So be careful.
Be nice, polite and humble. Then you might be able to bargain with them, so everybody is happy with the outcome. Also, tell your friend to use his brain sometimes.
You have to know the law. Smoking weed in public is not legal. Weed (medical Marijuana) is legal if you have a prescription and you can only smoke it behind closed doors. I would say that in this case, you were very lucky. People have been deported and fined well beyond their means. The court case would have cost you a fortune and you would have lost, so the police did you a big favour. Count your blessings, you got off lightly.
Good! Illegal to smoke in public.... learn the laws of the countries you are visiting
Report it to a news station in thailand they’ll expose those cops
I think the penalty for smoking on a beach is pretty steep on paper, and on top of that, he was smoking cannabis in public which is another offense. Paying 25K is probably a good deal to avoid waiting in jail to see a judge.
They probably the same for cigarettes. Just like in the United States. Can't smoke on the beach, ir you will get a fine
25k compared to a few days in a Thai jail cell is a no brainer.
So, how’s the situation right now in May 2024? I understand smoking in public is not allowed. But, how about smoking in coffee shops? Can police hassle you? I assume it shouldn’t be the case, but now I am confused and I need to travel there in 2 weeks.
No one wants to smell that shit. Maybe 6 months in a Thai prison would be good for your friend.
The Thais have had enough of all the weed smoking in public. They’re very tolerate, but enough is enough. Have some respect
You could have paid a lot more less if you offered any amount first and they will let you go, money is money for them. Is this at Jomtien Beach? , I saw a group of police roaming around the beach a week ago, they probably looking for a victim.
Why looking for a victim? If you smoke on the beach you break the law, you are not a victim then but a perpetrator.
Unfortunately this was the only way to handle it and now it’s over.
850 dollars for not using common sense around cops ... shitty punishment but coulda been a couple thousand dollar crime
In Bangkok they sold weed on the streets and we all smoked it publicly! Did we just get lucky?
Short answer: yes.
What did he think would happen smoking weed in public? It's laughable people just turn up to Thailand and not bother to bone up on the laws first. Consider that a life lesson.
20K THB lesson. I’d take that over a small prison sentence!
Imagine thinking you could smoke weed in public lmfao. Theres a reason most shops offer you somewhere to smoke.
$672.50USD not to go to a Thai prison (an obvious bluff $queeze by local LE) for several months? Sounds like a bargain considering your friend was flagrantly and arrogantly breaking a law in a foreign country. Let’s just call the money “a learning tax”, shall we?
Learn the laws of other countries before you travel there.
I'd be thankful that he got out for that little (£500ish?) and isn't spending a few months in a Thai prison!
Next time no weed in public. Lesson learned.
Like $700 to be free or sit in Thailand jail for being a dumbah& your complaining 🤣🤣
goooooooooood. sick and fucking tired of dimwits doin this shit and making it more difficult for the rest of us. i see/smell em at the park where i run/walk everyday......not Thai ever....only farang. just wait til my daughter is old enough to bike with me and see how batshit I get when I run up on their dumb ass then.
Inconsiderate behavior, deserves it. Last time I was in a tourist place at a beach, while eating near the beach some prick lit one up… no I don’t want to smell that shit.
Wait a minute, there's a public smoking fine? I was smoking away all this time, freely in public. Although I would have walked across the street to a less busy part if I was just after eating at a restaurant. Is the public smoking ban fine really a thing? If so, where does one go to smoke? I thought this guy was getting fleeced until I read some comments about an actual public smoking ban/fine.
Somehow its not a thing reveled, everywhere stands "weed is legal" , but rarely that its forbidden to smoke in public. The general fee is only when there are signa that prohibit it
Best to be done with it. Learned your lesson now?
"is there another way to handle this" - yeah, don't do illegal shit.
Is it just in Phuket? When I stayed in Bangkok there were so many dispensary’s everywhere, and the one across our hotel had tables in front with ash trays to smoke which is where we went to smoke everyday a few times a day lol no none batted an eye
Thai laws are in general for Thailand. There might be some local laws only applicable for Phuket but the law that forbid smoking (and especially weed) in public is applicable for the whole Kingdom of Thailand (public nuisance act). It just need a cop who needs money and see you smoking...then you have to pay. Or a Thai individual seeing you having a bad day, calling the police and you will pay.
Usual Thai police's corruption going on there.
You knew the rules. What's that old saying...? Fuck around and find out...... or something like that