This is from the latest advisory from the UK Foreign Office.

Note the two sections on passports!!

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Watch out for crimes of opportunity. Theft of passports and credit cards is a problem. Passport fraud is high and penalties are severe.

Penalties for possession, distribution or manufacture of drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.

There have been renewed outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) amongst poultry in Thailand. One person has recently died after contracting the disease. Travellers to Thailand are unlikely to be affected, but you should avoidFCO Website Update Thailand.ems places where you may come into contact with live poultry.

By law, tourists are expected to carry their original passports at all times in Thailand.

It seems the authorities are starting to take this passport regulation seriously. Several bars/nightclubs in Hat Yai were raided on Saturday night and foreigners without passports had to pay 'tea money' to avoid being arrested.