This December 25th, besides wishing everyone a Merry Christmas while waiting for my personal gift—a 10-day mini vacation in Thailand at the end of the month—I want to talk to you about a topic that may not matter to many but will be quite interesting and perhaps useful to just as many: Smoking and Electronic Cigarettes in the Land of Smiles.
In Thailand, the fight against smoking began in the early 2000s, initially with hefty fines for those who threw cigarette butts on the ground. Then, in 2008, the smoking ban was extended to outdoor restaurants, parks, stations, and practically all public facilities. Naturally, in a country full of contradictions, there are places where this ban is respected and others where it is still simply ignored, such as most Go-Go bars and many Beer Bars, as well as restaurants with outdoor seating or hotel pool areas, and so on.
In 2018, the smoking ban was further extended to beaches. From 2019, all smoking rooms inside airports were closed, and by 2023, only two small (equipped but unmarked) smoking areas remained outside Suvarnabhumi Airport, located at the first and last entrances on the road at the top floor.
As for electronic cigarettes, the situation is even worse because, unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes have been completely banned since 2016. Simply possessing one can result in hefty fines or even imprisonment. Yet, of course, if you walk around Bangkok, you’ll find dozens of street stalls selling them and people “vaping” almost everywhere in bars and clubs. Just to give you an example, the first time I tried one was when a girl at a bar let me try hers right there where she worked. In any case, it’s better not to bring one from home to avoid any trouble.
And speaking of laws and contradictions, in June 2022 the Thai government removed cannabis from the list of prohibited narcotics, effectively legalizing marijuana — although technically only for therapeutic use and with THC levels under 0.2%. Recreational use remains banned; in fact, the law permits smoking cannabis only inside one’s own home (or, as I have often personally “smelled,” on hotel balconies, where in practice no officer will ever come to stop it).
This change sparked the emergence of countless dedicated shops that are now practically everywhere. Citizens can also legally cultivate ganja at home without any issues and enjoy the fruits of their labor — which essentially nullifies the earlier restrictions on THC percentages and recreational use of “Mary Jane.”
Personally, I think everyone’s a bit crazy — not so much because of the smoking bans in public places or crowded areas like tourist beaches or train stations. In many cases, like at bus terminals or outside big shopping centers, there are designated smoking areas anyway. Nor do I mind the ban on smoking marijuana outside your own home, which I find appropriate, even if it’s not very effective since anyone can get high in private and then go out — but that’s a minor detail.
What seems ridiculous to me is the outright ban on using electronic cigarettes, not only in public places but everywhere, because even owning one is forbidden! I’ve been a traditional smoker for thirty years and recently discovered and started using e-cigs (without nicotine, and I prepare my own vape liquids). So now I consider myself a “hybrid smoker,” which has helped me drastically reduce the number of cigarettes I smoke and my daily nicotine intake without even trying too hard.
I could understand banning nicotine itself, but the two main substances in vape liquids are propylene glycol and glycerol — both edible and injectable additives used in pharmaceuticals and food products — with natural flavors added. They should just ban nicotine, which is the harmful and addictive substance; the rest is basically harmless.
Sure, it might be hard to check the exact contents of all the different liquids, but if in doubt, they could at least treat e-cigs like traditional cigarettes, since they can’t be any more harmful than the real thing.
Summarizing useful information for those who need to travel to Thailand and have doubts:
It is strictly forbidden to throw cigarette butts on the ground; the penalties are very severe and enforcement is quite strict in this regard. Better put them in your pocket or hold them unlit until you find a trash bin or an ashtray.
Smoking traditional cigarettes is prohibited in public places, parks, beaches, temples, all commercial establishments and indoor venues, airports and transportation stations, near sacred sites, and hospital facilities. However, in many cases, there are designated outdoor smoking areas where smoking is allowed. In fact, it is possible to smoke in many places where technically it is not allowed.
Absolute ban on using and possessing an electronic cigarette, the sanctions in this case range from a thousands of Baht fine, to even arrest (or more commonly the payment of a “deposit” to be paid directly to the officer on duty to turn a blind eye, or rather two, but at a high price). In fact, you can find them for sale on roadside stalls, and you will see many people vaping without fail, especially in Venues dedicated to adult entertainment, but not only.
-You can buy Cannabis at the many shops present everywhere in the territory, especially in cities like Bangkok, and smoke the Ganja at home. In fact, it is possible to buy “Mary” and then smoke it in the Hotel on the balcony of your room where no one will ever come to check.
And that’s it, I hope I’ve clarified the ideas for the confused and that this can avoid unpleasant surprises for those arriving in Thailand for the first time or simply were not aware of these rules. Greetings from your friendly neighborhood Editor and Bon Voyage!
