As we announced back in November, Thailand’s new smoking ban on 24 tourist beaches around the country takes full effect today. Though the law has technically been in place for 90 days, police designated that time as a grace period when those caught breaking the law would be warned but not fined.
Now, those smoking in non-designated areas — including the use of vapes and e-cigarettes, which are illegal in Thailand anyway — can face harsh penalties including a fine of up to THB100,000 (about US$3,000) and/or up to a year in jail.
To help people follow the law, smoking areas have been set up just behind the beaches with signs in Thai, English, and Chinese. There was also talk of using GPS signals to send text messages to people with tourist SIMS near beaches about the law.
So far, the beach smoking ban has not been popular with Pattaya tourists, who have simply ignored the ban and smoked in the sand.
The only beach in Pattaya that is part of the ban is Dongtan Beach, on the Jomtien side of the city. The pilot program bans smoking on 24 popular tourist beaches around the country after officials in Phuket realized how much smoking debris and cigarette butts were left on the beaches.
In addition to Dongtan, other beaches taking part in the pilot program are: Patong (Phuket); Saeng Chan (Rayong); Laem Sadet (Chanthaburi); Bang Saen, Tham Phung, Sai Kaew, Dong Tan (Chonburi); Cha-am (Phetburi); Hua Hin and Khao Takiab (Prachuap Khiri Khan), Bo Phut (Koh Samui); Sai Ri (Chumphon), Khao Lak (Phang Nga); Koh Khai Nok and Koh Khai Nai (off the coast of Phang Nga); Chalok Baan Kao (Koh Tao); Klong Dao, Kor Kwang, and Phra Ae (Koh Lanta); Ban Chuen (Trat); Chala That (Songkhla); Samran (Trang); Plai Sai (Nakhon Sri Thammarat); and Wasukri (Pattani).
