Thailand is easy to enjoy and surprisingly easy to get wrong. Most first-timers hit the same few problems: a tuk-tuk driver who “knows” the palace is closed, a transfer that takes twice as long as planned, a heavy suitcase on a ferry pier. This guide collects the mistakes we see most often, starting with the ones that can cost you real money or a night in a police station.
Legal traps that catch tourists out
Vapes and e-cigarettes. Importing, selling and using e-cigarettes is illegal in Thailand, and the ban applies to a device sitting in your hand luggage as much as one in use. Reported penalties range from confiscation and an on-the-spot fine to prosecution, and figures differ between sources, so we will not quote a number. Leave it at home. Nicotine pouches and heated tobacco devices carry the same risk.
Lese-majeste. Section 112 of the Criminal Code makes criticism or disrespect of the king, queen and heir apparent a criminal offence. This extends to social media posts and to defacing images of the royal family. Stand when the royal anthem plays in cinemas and never step on a banknote or coin, which carry the king’s portrait. Our etiquette guide covers the rest of the royal and religious rules.
Overstaying. The standard fine is 500 baht per day up to 20,000 baht (as of 2026), with detention and re-entry bans for long overstays. Since 15 September 2026 most visa-free arrivals get 30 days, not 60, so check the stamp rather than assuming. Our visa guide explains the current rules and how to extend once at a local immigration office.
Coral and shells. Taking coral, shells or sand from beaches and marine national parks is prohibited, and rangers do check bags on boat tours. Many marine parks also restrict reef-harming sunscreens, so choose a mineral or reef-safe product before you go.
Dress and behaviour at temples
Cover your shoulders and knees at every active temple, and expect to remove shoes before entering any building. Sit with your feet pointing away from Buddha images, never touch a monk if you are a woman, and keep your head lower than a Buddha statue in photos. A light scarf or sarong in your daypack solves most dress problems. Vendors at the gate rent or sell cover-ups, but you will pay a premium and queue for them. See the best temples in Thailand for where to start.
The Grand Palace “closed today” scam
The most reliable first-day scam in Bangkok works like this: a friendly stranger near the gate tells you the palace is closed for a ceremony and offers a tuk-tuk tour of “other temples” that ends at a gem or tailor shop. The palace is almost never closed. Walk to the official ticket office on Na Phra Lan Road, check hours and prices on the Royal Grand Palace website (foreign adult entry is 500 baht as of 2026), and ignore anyone steering you away. Our Grand Palace guide has the full visiting details, and Thailand tourist scams lists the others. If you want to skip the haggling entirely, a guided Bangkok temple tour covers the palace with a licensed guide.
Bangkok traffic and airport transfers
Bangkok traffic is the single biggest schedule-breaker for newcomers. A trip from the centre to Suvarnabhumi can take 45 minutes at midnight and well over 90 minutes on a weekday evening. Build in a buffer, ride the Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai when you can, and book a fixed-price car if you arrive late with luggage. Our Suvarnabhumi airport transfer guide compares train, metered taxi and private transfers with current prices. Never leave for a flight on the same day as a long road or ferry leg without a generous margin.
Money, SIM cards and insurance
Take cash for markets and street food, use ATMs sensibly and decline dynamic currency conversion at card terminals. Our money in Thailand guide covers ATM fees of roughly 220-250 baht per withdrawal (as of 2026), tipping and exchange. An eSIM for Thailand lets you land with data and a ride-hailing app ready. Buy travel insurance before you fly: scooter accidents and private hospital bills are the usual sources of big claims, and many policies exclude riders without a motorbike licence.
Pack light
Thailand is cheap for laundry, so a 7-10 kg bag is plenty. Pack breathable cotton or linen, one long-sleeved layer for air-conditioned buses and trains, a light rain jacket in the wet season, sandals that come off easily, and a daypack for temple cover-ups. Heavy suitcases are miserable on ferry piers, sleeper trains and up the steps of hotels in old town lanes. See the packing list for a season-by-season breakdown.
Choose your hotel area, not just the hotel
In Bangkok, a cheap room far from the BTS Skytrain or MRT costs you an hour of traffic each way. Stay near a station in Sukhumvit, Silom or Ari for easy transfers, or in Rattanakosin or Banglamphu if temples are the priority. Pick a beach by what you want rather than by photos: Phuket’s west coast suits nightlife and a busy scene, Koh Samui and Krabi suit quieter stays. Our Bangkok where-to-stay guide breaks down the neighbourhoods and you can compare Bangkok hotels once you have chosen an area.
Heat, hydration and timing
Thailand is hot all year, and midday in April or May regularly feels like 40C or more. Plan temples and markets for early morning, take a long break from 12:00 to 15:00, and carry water. Heat exhaustion catches many first-time visitors on their second or third day of sightseeing. Check when to visit Thailand before you book: the cool, dry season from November to February is busiest and priciest, while the wet season brings cheaper rooms and shorter queues but rougher seas on the Andaman side.
Other mistakes worth avoiding
- Renting a scooter without a licence. Insurance often becomes void, and police fine unlicensed riders. Use Grab or a driver instead if you are unsure.
- Accepting unmetered taxis. Insist on the meter or use Grab. Our scams guide explains the usual excuses.
- Overpacking the itinerary. Pairing Bangkok with one island or the north, such as Chiang Mai, is enough for a first trip.
- Feeding or riding elephants at poor-welfare venues. Choose ethical sanctuaries that do not offer rides.
- Drinking tap water. Use bottled or filtered water, and be cautious with ice in remote areas.
- Touching heads or pointing feet. Heads are sacred and feet are low, so avoid both gestures.
Do these things and the first trip is far smoother. Most of the rest you can pick up as you go.