Reminder: a law bans smoking and littering on 24 popular tourist beaches to address environmental concerns.
Those who violate the ban could be sentenced to one year in prison!
The law, instituted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, came into force on Thursday 1 February 2018.
"From today, smoking and cigarette litter are banned on the beaches".
Bannaruk Sermthong, director of the Marine and Coastal Resources Management Bureau, told Reuters.
"Anyone who wants to smoke must do so in designated smoking areas, not on the beaches."
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138,000 cigarette butts on a 2.5 km long beach
These sanctions, which seem excessive, are put in place to avoid environmental damage and to protect marine life.
Studies have shown that cigarette butts are a major cause of environmental damage not only to the sea and beaches, but to Thailand in general.
This law comes after the ban was tested on 20 beaches in the provinces of PhuketPrachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri and Songkhla, including Koh Samui and Pattaya.
The trial was launched in October 2017 after Jatuporn Buruspat, head of Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), reported that his team had collected up to 138,000 cigarette butts from a 2.5km Patong beach in Phuket.
According to the DMCR, cigarette butts accounted for one third of beach litter.
Smoking ban on beaches in Thailand: list of beaches
The beaches where smoking is prohibited are :
Pattaya : Dong Tan
Chonburi : Bang Saen, Tham Phung, Sattahip [Sai Kaew].
Rayong Saeng Chan
Phuket : Patong
Phetchaburi : Cha Am
Phang Nga : Khao Lak
Hua Hin Hua Hin Beach and Khao Takiab Beach
Koh Samui : Bo Phut
Koh Tao Chalok Ban Kao
Koh Yao Koh Khai, Noi Koh, Khai Nok
Koh Lanta Klong Dao, Kor Kwang, Phra Ae
Chumphon : Sairee
Trat : Ban Chuen
Songkhla : Chala That
Trang : Chao Sam Ran
Nakhon Sri Thammarat : Plai Sai
Chanthaburi Laem Sadet
Pattani : Wasukri
Smoking areas
Designated areas for smokers further inland have been created on prohibited beaches, with containers provided for dropping cigarette butts.
Violators of the ban will be prosecuted and face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht or both.
See also :
E-cigarettes in Thailand: officially illegal
Photos: Quangpraha; 13smok
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