Malaysians who bring electronic cigarettes or vapes into Thailand risk being detained and could face hefty penalties, including up to five years in prison, according to Kosmo.
In addition to jail time, those found guilty of possessing a vape in the country may be fined up to four times the item’s value, including taxes, under Thailand’s Customs Act.
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Vaping in public can result in a RM650 fine
Meanwhile, using a vape in public places can also result in a 5,000 baht (RM650) fine under the country’s Tobacco Products Control Act.
According to The Thaiger, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Chantararuangthong previously highlighted the ministry’s successful crackdowns on e-cigarettes.
The legal consequences tied to e-cigarettes in Thailand include:
- Up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to 600,000 baht (RM77,700), or both, for selling vapes or vape juice which violates the Consumer Protection Act
- Up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to four times the value of the product, or both, for buying or possessing vapes or vape juice which violates the Customs Act
- Up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to five times the product’s value, or both, for importing vapes or vape juice, which also falls under the Customs Act
- Fine up to 5,000 baht for vaping in public, which violates the Tobacco Product Control Act
Thailand has banned vapes since 2014
According to China Press, Abdul Halim Othman, a grassroots activist in Satun, southern Thailand, highlighted in an interview that Thailand has completely banned e-cigarette products since 2014.
“I believe many Malaysian tourists, especially families or groups of friends, still quietly bring e-cigarettes across the border when travelling by car,” he said.
He also noted that aside from e-cigarettes, other common violations by Malaysians include bringing drones and walkie-talkies into Thailand without proper permission.
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