Behaviors that can easily land you in jail while traveling

MEach country has its own rules and customs. In addition to preparing your luggage, learning about local culture and laws is necessary to avoid trouble.

Here are some things you can do in some countries around the world that could land you in jail.

Insulting the royal family (Thailand)

Thai law stipulates that anyone who defames, insults or threatens the king, queen or members of the royal family will be imprisoned for 3-15 years.

Thailand has strict regulations and severe penalties for those who insult the royal family. Many of those caught have been fined, made to kneel before the king’s portrait, or beaten by people. Most recently, a 43-year-old Thai woman named Umaporn Sarasat faced 15 years in prison after insulting the king on Facebook.

Additionally, if you drop a coin with the king's image on it or deliberately step on a baht coin, you can also go to jail.

No residence card (Japan)

All visitors to Japan are required to have a residence card. This is a very important form of identification in Japan, containing your personal information. If you fail to produce this card when checked by the police, you could end up behind bars for 23 days.

Residence card is a required document when coming to Japan. Photo: Repacp.

Eating and drinking in public (UAE)

Under Islamic law, during the holy month of Ramadan, you can be fined $550 or face up to a month in prison if you eat or drink in public during the day.

This act is considered offensive to Islamic beliefs and practices. The penalty applies to everyone.

Cow slaughter (India and Nepal)

India and Nepal are countries with large Hindu populations, who regard cows as sacred. Eating or slaughtering cows is considered taboo.

If you are traveling to either of these countries, you should show respect for the culture there. If you intentionally or even accidentally hit a cow and kill it, you could end up spending a year in jail, or worse, the death penalty.

Indians and Nepalese people highly value cows. Photo: Cowsim.

Bringing opium poppy seeds into the UAE

Like Thailand, the United Arab Emirates has strict laws regarding opium. In 2008, a Swiss tourist was jailed for four years for carrying three poppy seeds in a sandwich he bought at Heathrow Airport in the UK.

Territorial Invasion (US)

If you want to wander around and explore someone else's land while visiting the US, think again! Some states in the US now allow landowners to fine, shoot, or even kill anyone who violates their territory or property.

If you trespass on a national forest or military area, you can also be jailed for 6 months.

According to Zing