Foreigners traveling to Thailand have been warned to leave their e-cigarettes at home as they could face up to ten years in prison for vaping in the Kingdom, according to the Phuket Gazette.
This rule isn’t new. It’s been in effect since 2014, but tourists are largely unaware of it. When coming from a country where there are no laws against vaping, many of them don’t think to question it.
Pat Waterton, a travel agent from the UK, only learned of this law when her nephew was arrested in Bangkok for smoking an e-cigarette. He was told he could face up to ten years in prison, but was eventually let go after paying a fine.
He’s not the only Brit to have been arrested for vaping. Others have been charged, too. As a result, the UK Foreign Office advises travelers not to bring e-cigarettes or refills to Thailand. Vaping violates Section 27 of the Thailand Customs Act 2014. However, enforcement is rare and arrests are likely the result of focused investigations at specific locations, according to Chaninat & Leeds.
Read more here.
Image: Ecig Click
