E-cigarettes are officially banned in Thailand since 2014, and vapers face heavy penalties in the kingdom.
Article published in 2014 and regularly updated.
- E-cigarettes are strictly prohibited in Thailand since 2014.
- Possession, purchase, sale or importation of an e-cigarette can result in heavy penalties.
- Penalties range from heavy fines to prison sentences, depending on the offense.
- The ban applies to both tourists and residents, as well as Thais.
- The authorities cite health risks, particularly among young people, to justify this ban.
Latest information on e-cigarettes in March 2025
Thailand launches hunt for electronic cigarettes: 5 years in prison
Following the tightening of controls and stricter enforcement of existing laws (see above), we have not received any reports of tourists or expatriates being convicted; controls appear to be mainly focused on Thais.
On the other hand, the police have dismantled a large number of seller networks and, according to several vapers in Thailand, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain e-cigarettes in 2026.
E-cig in Thailand, what are the penalties?
Electronic cigarette smoker. Photo: sarahjohnson
In case of non-compliance with the ban, the sanctions can be very heavy:
- A seller who sells electronic cigarettes or e-liquid violates the consumer protection law, which is punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 600,000 bahts ($16,350), or both.
- A person who buys or possesses e-cigarettes or e-liquid violates customs law, punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine equal to four times the value of the goods, or both.
- Anyone who imports e-cigarettes or e-liquid violates customs law and is liable to a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine equal to five times the value of the goods, or both.
- Anyone who vapes in public is liable to a fine of up to 5,000 baht (136.25 euros), in accordance with the law on tobacco product control.
This applies to both foreigners and Thais.
In addition to tightening sanctions, the public is invited to report any sellers or users of e-cigarettes to the authorities via the Tang Rath (ทางรัฐ) application.
Whistleblowers can also receive up to 60% of the fine as a reward.
See: Thailand becomes a dangerous country for tourists who vape
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) regularly reminds foreign visitors of this ban:
Enjoy your vacation in Thailand, but leave the electronic cigarettes at home. They are illegal here.
While e-cigarettes are used worldwide to help people quit smoking, travelers to Thailand should be aware that these devices are actually illegal in the kingdom.
Why ban electronic cigarettes in Thailand?
E-cigarette smoker. Photo: lindsayfox
Many may wonder why a device designed to help people quit smoking is banned.
A government spokesperson explained that the ban had been introduced for public health reasons, with the authorities believing that e-cigarettes risked encouraging young people to take up smoking.
In addition, the consumption of e-cigarettes among young people, even very young people, has continued to increase.
See: In Thailand, children spend 755 euros per year on e-cigarettes
And there have been several tragedies involving young teenagers who added cannabis oil to their liquids and died.
This type of oil is not designed to be inhaled: when it is vaped, it can settle in the lungs and cause serious respiratory damage.
In some cases, these practices have led to hospitalizations and even deaths, reinforcing the authorities' determination to maintain the ban.
Thus, people who wish to travel to Thailand are advised not to bring e-cigarettes or any components or equipment associated with e-cigarettes, such as liquids used in the device.
Similarly, travel agents or tour operators who sell destinations should ensure that their customers are clearly informed about the ban on e-cigarettes in Thailand.
See also:
A shocking survey reveals 6-year-olds vape in Thailand
WHO asks Thailand to toughen laws against vaping
E-cigarette banned in Thailand: a French woman ends up in prison
Source: tatnews.org
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6 comments
Warning: on Facebook there is even testimony from a person who passed their bag under the Thai customs detector before leaving the airport and had their equipment confiscated!
Thai vapers counterattack
On the one hand, it seems that the government is particularly in need of tobacco taxes because this law is absurd and on the other hand, there are Thais who do not understand that a product much less harmful than cigarettes is banned, hoping that they will find a means of agreement.
An electronic cigarette users association has filed a petition with the National Legislative Assembly to lift the ban on importing, producing, selling and possessing electronic cigarettes.
The Ministry of Commerce banned e-cigarettes and related products earlier this year.
Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, chairman of the NLA's commerce subcommittee that received the petition, said the association claimed that 160 countries allow the sale of e-cigarettes, while only 15 countries ban it.
The association also stated that the ban on imported e-cigarettes resulted in a substantial loss of tax revenue on imports, said Mr. Siripol.
The subcommittee of the assembly will discuss the association's petition, he said.
Maris Karanyawat, the representative of the association, stated that his group presented its petition to the ALN with the signatures of more than 17,000 people.
The ban deprives cigarette smokers of the possibility of turning to e-cigarettes that help wean them off conventional cigarettes, said Mr. Maris.
The import ban also encourages young people to buy the equipment illegally online, he added.
Asa Salikhup, another network representative, said e-cigarettes were victims of (government) misinformation.
It claims that e-cigarettes are much less harmful to health than tobacco.
The WHO has stated that smokers' smoke is harmful to non-smokers (passive) causing cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and chronic respiratory diseases.
This is not the case with electronic cigarettes.
A new wave of crackdown on illegal e-cigarettes was carried out on Tuesday in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri.
The details are the same as in previous raids.
One of the paradoxes of Thailand. Too bad because my partner is quitting smoking and this year, we won't spend our money in Thailand for a month because he's weaning himself off with an e-cigarette.
Nice website. I've traveled again from the depths of my Touraine…
Thank you Florentin.
Hello, it also happened to me, I started using e-cigarettes to quit smoking after a heart attack, but during our last vacation in Thailand, I started smoking cigarettes again for lack of thrills, and back in France, I had another close call and had to have 2 additional stents put in at the hospital, I narrowly escaped it, but unfortunately I've been smoking again on and off with my vape since. Q.E.D.
good luck.