Thailand reminds tourists of laws banning e-cigarettes

by Pierre To 5 February 2023

By Pierre To 5 February 2023 4 minutes to read

Thailand reminds tourists of laws banning e-cigarettes

Photo: lindsayfox

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has issued a reminder of its laws on banning smoking in public places and banning electronic cigarettes.

After the recent cases of extortion of tourists by Thai policeIn response to the concerns raised by the TAT, which highlighted the fact that many travellers were unaware of the laws on the prohibition of electronic cigarettes, the TAT was keen to provide a reminder of all the laws concerning smoking in Thailand.

Message from TAT:

Thailand's tobacco control laws aim to promote a safe, clean and smoke-free environment for all.

Travellers to Thailand should be aware that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or 'vaping') as well as shishas and electronic shishas are all illegal in the Kingdom.

There have been recent incidents where foreign travellers who were unaware of the ban have faced a fine on the spot or have been arrested.

The ban was introduced in 2014 by the Thai government for health reasons and because electronic cigarettes and shishas were encouraging young people to smoke.

Thus, travellers to Thailand are advised not to bring electronic cigarettes or electronic shishas with them, nor any items or equipment associated with e-cigarettes, including the 'juice' used in the device.

Similarly, travel agents or tour operators offering tours in Thailand should ensure that their clients are aware of the current ban on smoking electronic cigarettes, shishas and electronic shishas.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also working closely with tour operators and guides to obtain the cooperation of tourists not to smoke in prohibited areas, including airports, sports complexes and tourist attractions in the country.

Outdoor places where smoking is prohibited include sports training or exercise facilities, sports venues or competitions of any kind, public parks, zoos, amusement parks, children's playgrounds and markets.

Tourists travelling with guided tour groups are required to strictly adhere to these new rules and regulations.

Thailand joined the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on 27 February 2005.

Since then, the country has become one of the world's forerunners in the fight to ban smoking in almost all indoor public places, indoor workplaces and public transport.

This includes the ban on smoking on Thai beaches across the country, which came into effect in November 2017, as part of the country's sustainable tourism efforts.

See : Smoking ban on Thailand's beaches: up to one year in prison

Six Thai airports, Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, all of which are operated and managed by Airports of Thailand (AOT), have been declared smoke-free zones from 3 February 2019, with all smoking rooms inside the terminals closed since then.

According to the AOT, the decision to close all smoking rooms is in line with the Tobacco Control Act 2017.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health's official announcement in November 2018, also listed "public areas of airports" among several new areas where smoking tobacco is prohibited and carries a fine of up to 5,000 baht (€138.33) per violation.

The TAT understands that the AOT has designated smoking areas outside the terminals.

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For more information, tourists and travellers passing through these six airports are invited to contact the AOT contact centre by calling 1722 or to visit the airport information desk.