Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, and the king is treated with a reverence that has no close equivalent in most visitors' home countries. Section 112 of the Criminal Code makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, with three to fifteen years in prison for each count; the simple rule for visitors is not to comment on the royal family at all, online or offline.
For most travelers the monarchy shows up in small, visible ways: portraits of the King in shops and offices, his image on every banknote, the national anthem in public places, yellow and purple flags on royal birthdays. Thais will rarely raise the subject with a foreigner, and they will not expect you to have opinions about it. What matters is that you know the law exists, that it is enforced, and that it applies to foreigners too.
This page sticks to facts and official sources. It does not discuss Thai politics, and it is not legal advice.
The monarchy and the law at a glance (October 2026)
- Head of state
- King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), crowned 4 May 2019
- Queen
- Queen Suthida
- The law
- Criminal Code, Section 112 ("lèse-majesté")
- Penalty
- 3 to 15 years in prison per count; counts can be added together
- Who it protects
- The King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent and the Regent (wording of the law)
- Applies to foreigners
- Yes, including for online posts and shares (UK FCDO)
- New since August 2026
- Deportation rules allow removal of foreigners without a criminal conviction
Why the monarchy matters to Thais
The Chakri dynasty has reigned since 1782, when King Rama I founded Bangkok and built the Grand Palace. Thailand ended absolute monarchy in 1932, and the king today is head of state under the constitution. For many Thais the institution is bound up with religion, national identity and family memory: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) reigned for seventy years until his death on 13 October 2016, and his portrait still hangs in homes across the country.
That respect is built into the calendar. The King's birthday on 28 July, Queen Suthida's birthday on 3 June, Coronation Day on 4 May, the memorial days for King Bhumibol (13 October) and King Chulalongkorn (23 October), and 5 December, King Bhumibol's birthday and Thailand's Father's Day, are all official holidays. Our page on Thai public holidays lists the dates and what closes.
Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, died in October 2025. The government asked civil servants to wear mourning dress for one year from 25 October 2025 and the public to wear black or subdued colors for 90 days; the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said at the time that tourism and daily life continued as normal, but asked visitors to dress and behave respectfully, especially at temples, royal sites and government buildings. Royal ceremonies can still close royal sites at short notice, so check the official schedule before visiting the Grand Palace.
What Section 112 says, and how it is applied
Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code reads: "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years." Three features make it unusual:
- A minimum sentence. A conviction means at least three years, even for a single post. Courts cannot impose less.
- Each act is a separate count. Several posts or shares can be charged as several offences, and the sentences can be added together, so total terms well above fifteen years have been handed down.
- Anyone can file a complaint. The monitoring group 112Watch notes that a case does not need to come from the person insulted; any member of the public can report someone to the police.
The text names four positions. In practice, the UK government's travel advice (updated September 2026) warns that the law "can be interpreted broadly", that it covers any accusations about members of the Royal Family "past and present", and that British and Thai journalists, human rights defenders and members of the public have been charged for political comments or for sharing articles online. Treat the whole royal family, living and dead, as off-limits for criticism or jokes.
Sharing counts, not just writing. According to the UK government, people have faced charges for sharing articles online, not only for their own words. Reposting a meme, forwarding a video or adding a comment to someone else's post about the royal family can be enough to start a case.
The August 2026 deportation rules
On 28 August 2026 Thailand introduced new deportation regulations. According to the UK Foreign Office, foreign nationals may now be deported without a criminal conviction if the authorities decide that their conduct is contrary to public order, public morals or the wellbeing of the Thai people, and those deported may face restrictions on returning. The rules are not specific to the monarchy, but they lower the bar for removing a foreigner whose behavior causes offence. We have not read the regulation text itself, so we report only what the UK government says.
The national anthem, the royal anthem and the cinema
Thailand's national anthem is broadcast at 08:00 and 18:00 every day in many public places: railway and Skytrain stations, parks, markets and government offices, as well as on radio and television. When it plays, people stop walking and stand still until it ends. Do the same; it lasts under a minute.
The royal anthem, a different piece of music, is played before films in Thai cinemas and at some official events. The audience stands while a short film about the King is shown. Stand with everyone else, and do not use your phone or talk during it. Neither practice is something a visitor needs to understand in detail; following the people around you is enough.
Banknotes, portraits and royal images
Every current Thai banknote carries a portrait of the King. The Bank of Thailand's current notes are the Series 17 paper notes (20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht) and polymer 20, 50 and 100-baht notes, and older notes showing King Bhumibol still circulate. That is why stepping on a dropped note to stop it blowing away, or tearing or defacing money, is seen as disrespect toward the King; our guide to what never to do in Thailand covers this and other everyday taboos. Pick money up with your hand.
The same logic applies to royal portraits on streets and in buildings. Do not deface them, pose mockingly in front of them or use them as a backdrop for jokes. Large portraits and shrines appear outside government offices and along main roads, especially around royal birthdays.
Royal motorcades sometimes close roads in Bangkok for a short time. If you are held up, wait quietly like everyone else. The most spectacular royal event of 2026 is the Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya River on Friday 6 November 2026, with full-dress rehearsals on 21 and 28 October; TAT says the public can watch from both banks between Krung Thon Bridge and Wat Arun, and the procession ends at the temple covered in our guide to Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
How visitors stay out of trouble
- Do not discuss the royal family with Thais, with tour guides or in public places, critically or as a joke.
- Do not post, share or like content about the monarchy while you are in Thailand, and think twice about what you post before you travel; your public social media can be seen from anywhere.
- Do not deface money or royal images, and do not step on banknotes.
- Stand for the anthems and follow what people around you do.
- Dress properly at royal sites, which have the strictest dress codes in the country; our page on temple etiquette and dress code explains them.
- Avoid political gatherings. The UK government advises visitors to avoid protests, demonstrations and marches.
- Watch what you post from a holiday, too: the UK advice also warns that images of people drinking or in clothing considered inappropriate can be illegal to post. Our article on what "farang" means is a lighter look at how Thais see foreign visitors.
If you are arrested for any reason, ask for your embassy to be informed at once and do not sign anything you do not understand. The emergency numbers page lists the Tourist Police (1155). For a wider picture of how Thais show respect, see our explanation of the wai greeting and the overview of Thai culture and everyday life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lèse-majesté law in Thailand?
It is Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, which punishes anyone who defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent with three to fifteen years in prison per count. It applies to foreigners and to online posts.
Can a tourist be charged under Section 112?
Yes. The law applies to anyone in Thailand, and the UK government says British nationals have faced charges, including for sharing articles online. Since August 2026, foreigners can also be deported without a conviction if their conduct is judged contrary to public order or morals.
Do I have to stand for the national anthem in Thailand?
Thais stop and stand still when the national anthem plays at 08:00 and 18:00 in public places, and audiences stand for the royal anthem before films in cinemas. Visitors are expected to do the same, and it takes less than a minute.
Why should you not step on Thai money?
Every Thai banknote carries a portrait of the King, so stepping on a note, even to stop it blowing away, is seen as disrespectful to the monarchy. Pick it up with your hand instead.
Sources
- UK FCDO – Thailand travel advice: Safety and security (lèse-majesté, deportation, protests) (checked October 2026)
- 112Watch – 112 in depth (checked October 2026)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand – Mourning practices following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother (checked October 2026)
- Bank of Thailand – Current series of banknotes (checked October 2026)
- Bank of Thailand – Financial institutions' holidays (checked October 2026)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand – Royal Barge Procession 2026 and rehearsals (checked October 2026)