Hat Yai Bucket List of Don'ts! From Food Paradise to Fine Hell?

A colleague got fined 30,000 THB for e-cigarettes at Hat Yai Night Market As someone who had meat snacks confiscated by customs, I'm tearfully compiling these crucial warnings Don't underestimate these rules - fines are brutal, costing half a month's salary at minimum, or even deportation with a criminal record! Save this now if you see it! 🚫 Taboo 1: Bringing e-cigarettes? You might get arrested on the spot! Carrying/using e-cigarettes (including empty vape pens) Will be confiscated + fined 30,000 THB (~6,000 RMB) or 10 years imprisonment Leave your vapes at home when visiting Hat Yai! Tip: Don't even bring e-liquid packaging! Customs scanners are strict 🚫 Taboo 2: Drinking in public? Prepare for wallet pain! Drinking outside licensed areas (temples, parks, streets) incurs heavy penalties 5,000 THB fine (~1,000 RMB) + detention Tip: Note alcohol sales hours (11:00-14:00 & 17:00-24:00) Finish drinks at bars/restaurants before leaving 🚫 Taboo 3: Renting motorcycles without license? Say goodbye to your deposit! Using only a Chinese driver's license (requires International Driving Permit + Thai license) 1,000 THB fine (~200 RMB) + vehicle impoundment! Tip: Get IDP in advance, verify pink insurance when renting 🚫 Taboo 4: Carrying excess cash undeclared? Instant confiscation! Carrying over $20,000 without declaration Excess amount confiscated + 20% fine Tip: Use cards primarily, declare excess cash at customs!! 🚫 Taboo 5: Feeding temple pigeons? Clean while you pay! Feeding animals at religious sites like Wat Hat Yai Nai is prohibited! 1,000 THB fine + mandatory temple cleaning Tip: Avoid pigeon flocks, notice "No Feeding" signs 🚫 Taboo 6: Collecting beach corals? Jail time awaits! Taking shells/corals (including fragments) risks 100,000 THB (~20,000 RMB) fine + 5 years imprisonment Don't randomly pick souvenirs!! Tip: Take photos only, buy certified cultured souvenirs 💡 Cultural Don'ts 1. Feet pointing at Buddha images → Keep feet tucked when sitting 2. Touching children's heads → Thais consider head sacred (just nod/smile) 💥 Common Pitfalls Khao Kheow Open Zoo feeding: ฿500 fine for unauthorized feeding (must buy designated feed) Bloody lesson: Got scolded by monks for pointing feet at Buddha statue 😭 What other Hat Yai travel traps have you encountered? Share your stories!