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

Smoking ban on Thailand beaches: A new law bans smoking and littering on 24 popular tourist beaches to address environmental concerns.

Those who violate the ban could be sentenced to one year in prison!

The law, instituted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, came into force on Thursday, February 1.

"From today, smoking and cigarette littering are prohibited on the beaches."

Bannaruk Sermthong, director of the Bureau of Marine and Coastal Resources Management, told Reuters.

“Anyone who wants to smoke should do so in designated smoking areas, not on beaches.”

138,000 cigarette butts on a 2.5 km beach

These sanctions, which appear excessive, are put in place to prevent damage to the environment and to protect marine flora and fauna.

Studies have shown that cigarette butts are a major cause of environmental damage not only to the sea and beaches, but to Thailand in general.

Picking up cigarette butts on a beach in Thailand

Phuket provinces , including Koh Samui and Pattaya .

The trial was launched in October 2017 after Jatuporn Buruspat, head of Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), reported that his team had collected up to 138,000 cigarette butts from a 2.5km stretch of Patong Beach in Phuket.

According to the DMCR, cigarette butts accounted for a third of beach litter.

No Smoking on Thailand Beaches: List of Beaches

The beaches where the smoking ban is in effect are:

Pattaya : Dong Tan

Chonburi: Bang Saen, Tham Phung, Sattahip [Sai Kaew]

Rayong : Saeng Chan

Phuket : Patong

Phetchaburi : Cha Am

Phang Nga : Khao Lak

Hua Hin : Hua Hin Beach and Khao Takiab Beach

Koh Samui : Bo Phut

Koh Tao : Chalok Ban Kao

Koh Yao : Koh Khai, Noi Koh, Khai Nok

Koh Lanta : Klong Dao, Kor Kwang, Phra Ae

Chumphon : Sairee

Trat : Ban Chuen

Songkhla : Chala That

Trang : Chao Sam Ran

Nakhon Sri Thammarat : Plai Sai

Chanthaburi : Laem Sadet

Pattani : Wasukri

Places provided for smokers

Designated smoking areas further inland have been created on the banned beaches, with containers provided for disposing of cigarette butts.

Those who violate the ban will be prosecuted and face imprisonment for one year, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.

See also:

Electronic cigarettes in Thailand: officially illegal

Source: independent.co.uk ; Photos: Quangpraha; 13smok