If you break the law in Thailand, even a very minor law, there is a chance you will get extorted by the police.
Although this is NOT legal and the top cops are cracking down on this, it still happens more often than not.
What you need to know as a tourist, is rules are rules and if you get caught breaking the rules, you will be given a choice of a ticket, jail or pay a fine on the spot.
Driving with no helmet in Phuket is a good way to get stopped and fined 500 to 1000 thb each person.
Vaping, which is illegal, recently saw a tourist having to negotiate a fine of 60,000 thb on the spot to 30,000 thb for having a vape.
The police are serious about this “fine on the spot” and often asked for huge amounts of money, which is not published anywhere. Whatever they think they can get away with.
If you think you are smart and you will get away with breaking the law, hope you have enough money to cover the fine.
You will get caught.
If you want to enjoy a smooth holiday in Thailand, do not break the law. Any law!