Smoking and e-cigarettes in Thailand

Smoking or vaping in Thailand

Rules on smoking in Thailand are getting stricter – for example, smoking is gradually being banned on all beaches – and few people know that e-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand (see below).

No smoking on Thai beaches

Initially introduced on 24 beaches in Thailand, the smoking ban is gradually being extended to all beaches in the country. If you are caught smoking or dropping cigarette butts on one of these beaches (look out for signs and designated smoking areas), you risk a fine of up to 100,000 baht and/or up to one year in prison. The ban is due more to the environmental damage caused by the many cigarette butts buried in the sand than to any nuisance to others.

Other smoking bans in Thailand

There are many public places – and even some private ones – where smoking is forbidden in Thailand: Bangkok's metro systems (BTS, MRT and ARL), buses, trains, many train stations, some ferries, elevators, shopping malls, many restaurants... and the law may restrict smoking in public places even further. Since 2019, smoking has also been banned within 5 meters of the entrances to public buildings. Some hotels ban smoking throughout the property or in certain areas. Wherever smoking is forbidden, it is always indicated, though not always very visibly, along with the fine. Signs often still show 2,000 THB, but they are out of date, as the fine has been raised to 5,000 THB. In Thailand, it is illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under 20, as the authorities are determined to stop young people from taking up smoking. Cigarette advertising is also banned in all its forms.