I’m not going to go into any detail here, and this certainly isn’t intended to be legal advice. I just thought it important to at least give you a heads up on a few things. I’ll leave it in your hands to research these items further. Some areas of this document require the ability to read between the lines.

It is forbidden to make critical statements, verbal or written, about any member of the Royal Family. Any materials, including currency, that contain the image of His Majesty, or members of the Royal Family, are to be treated with respect.

It is ill advised to enter into any discussion about government or politics, including speculative discussion concerning the future, until you are fully aware of what is considered appropriate.

When it comes to avoiding a ticket for minor violations, such as littering. Do not base your conduct on the actions of others. The decision to issue a verbal warning, or write a ticket, is at the discretion of the officer.

It is a good idea to always have a 500 Baht bill tucked away in your wallet for those “unexpected expenses.”

Never argue with a uniformed authority.

Technically you are required to carry your passport with you at all times. I don’t know of anyone that does. While there are no guarantees, it is generally regarded as safe practice to carry copies of the identification page, and any pages related to your being granted stay in Thailand.

There are many circumstances where a business, or service (hospital) will want a copy of your passport identification page. I have never had a problem using a copy for this, but I’ll stop short of suggesting it will always work. You definitely need to have your passport with you when opening a bank account, or dealing with government agencies.