That's petty theft, unless it's over a certain amount, then it can be a felony. Thailand doesn't distinguish between a felony and misdemeanor but looks at crimes individually. In the west there can be a dollar amount attached. In both places you could get a fine or jail. What i meant about against a person is assault or other violent crimes, and not theft. Many people commit minor thefts and get fines and possibly jail here, which could teach a lesson, or not, as some don't care anyway, but seeing many locals commit theft daily, and rarely get jail, that punishment, a fine, fits the offense. Repeat offenses are another matter entirely. Stealing something large of course the penalty goes higher, and deportations can happen when it's organized crime or robberies of a higher price tag. Many offenses are committed while a person is drunk, so they'll take that into consideration also, along with if you apologize and admit guilt, which shows remorse. If a local doesn't get prison time for a certain offense, neither should a foreigner. In any event, it's not our country but theirs, and their rules.
