What are the current policies regarding e-cigarettes in Phuket?

Jan 2, 2022
3 years ago
Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone familiar with the policies on e-cigarettes in Phuket? Im seeing conflicting info on it
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TLDR : Answer Summary
E-cigarettes, including vaping devices, are currently illegal in Thailand, including in Phuket. The law prohibits the buying and selling of e-cigarettes, and enforcement can be inconsistent; while using e-cigarettes may not always lead to legal issues, penalties can include fines ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 baht if caught. Many locals and visitors still use them despite the law, and issues often arise primarily at customs. Travelers are advised to exercise caution, as laws can be enforced at the discretion of law enforcement.
Alastair ********************
There is NO policy or conflicting information on e-cigarettes, the Thai law is pretty clear as detailed in this post on the Thai Embassy (UK) website.

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-prohibition-of-e-cigarettes?page=5d6636ce15e39c3bd
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The fact the laws may not be enforced particularly effectively is another matter. At the end of the day it's illegal, it's your decision if you want to get fined or ultimately deported if you happen to meet the wrong or right law enforcement officer.
John ********
They have several hefty fines coming your way..
Have *******
What's the rationale behind banning ecigs?
Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No Thai jails for me thank you..haha
Michael ********
@Dave ******
Also some narcotics can be put into liquid form
Have *******
@Michael *******
you can smoke weed in a cigarette too......
Michael ********
@Dave ******
its more the Hardcore stuff.

I know I have been offered ketamine vaping liquid in a market here and as Thailands neighbour is one of the biggest producers of chemical narcotics sure they can do allsorts
Adam ********
@Dave ******
cigarette revenue
Diezzy ******
No conflicting info.. Its illegal easy for understand.. some People dont care and so much thai People use it.. so you know the rules now you can do whzt you feel good for you but dont cry after 🙂
Albert ********
Good luck 👍
Karl **********
LM Blue
Adrien **********
Cops may arrest and fine you 5-15k baht, you may contest as the law is about buying but dont do it as they can end your hollyday with a deportation stamp.

You can take it if you can afford the fine in case you are unlucky enough to be caught, use it in private area and you will be fine. Thai people dont care about it, a lot of them use it.
Gabriel ********
@Adrien *********
this is precisely how it was explained to me as well
Steve *******
Technically illegal. Everyones using them and readily available.
Paul ********
Shouldn't be any conflicting info, they're illegal, end of.
Brian ***********
They are illegal you will get fined if caught
Ian *********
Dont get caught at immigration with them !!!!
Ian *********
What he had was clearly for personal use,ONE vap and three small packs of cartridges,like the 20k cash required rarely enforced but if they want to they can enforce it
Gabriel ********
@Ian ********
they can do anything ......you're the first person I've ever heard of that has first hand info regarding customs caring.....they find mine every time cuz I have several w batteries and they're large.....many many times this has happened at both suvarnabhumi and hkt and customs checks it out and puts it right back in the bag....guess I'm .lucky
Ian *********
Maybe? the guy stopped at customs as i walked though last year as they were putting his vap gear in a plastuc bag was just unlucky !
Gabriel ********
@Ian ********
more likely they suspected him of trafficking 4 sales....its a fine line
Lisa ********************
@Ian ********
customs are fine for personal use. Never had a problem, myself. And travelled to Thailand about 10 times with my vape gear.
Ian *********
@Lisa *******************
And when the boss decides to enforce the law DO YOU THINK THEY WILL BE KIND ENOUGH TO TELL THE WORLD
Gabriel ********
@Ian ********
not an issue...customs is fine w you bringing them.in for personal use
Michael ********
@Gabriel *******
why is there a sign in swampy airport then warning about bringing them in.
Gabriel ********
Gabriel ********
@Michael *******
because they don't want them here as it threatens the tobacco monopoly
Michael ********
@Gabriel *******
Actually tax is not the only reason. Also narcotics its actually quite easy to get Ketamine vape liquid here.

Thats why a lot of S.E.Asian countries are resisting vaping. Its online somewhere from one of the Asean meetings ten years or so ago
Gabriel ********
@Michael *******
you're absolutely correct although thc infused vape juice is the ulterior issue not ketamine
Lisa ********************
I've never had a problem in 7 years but all the batteries must be carried in carry on luggage
Gabriel ********
Steve *******
@Gabriel *******
Jeez. Did you get that out of the Ark? Must be the oldest vape on the planet!
Gabriel ********
@Steve ******
brand new....purchased it.in the usa 4 months ago...its the newest version....there's a USB charged version as well that I also bought
Steve *******
@Gabriel *******
Ah ok. Never seen that old tech applied to vapes before. Everything here and in the UK( apart from ancient pods) is USB charged.
Gabriel ********
@Steve ******
not in the uk it's not....I got a battery vape there too last year
Steve *******
@Gabriel *******
Really? Never seen them in the UK before but havent been there for a while. Seems kind of pointless though as it's so outdated tech.
Gabriel ********
@Steve ******
they are ubiquitous and essential for people that need a recharge but don't have access to, or time to use, a USB port...I've used both since 2011 and the battery type is more reliable
Lisa ********************
@Gab****
I'm talking about higher voltage lithium batteries. The luggage scanners pick them up.
Gabriel ********
@Lisa *******************
yeah I get it, they make.me separate mine too
Steve *******
@Lisa *******************
Ive never seen a vape that you can remove the battery from. I brought mine over in hold luggage.
Gabriel ********
Lisa ********************
@Steve ******
mine come apart.
Steve *******
@Lisa *******************
Only the tank. You cant remove the battery
Lisa ********************
@St***
yeah, so you can pack the tanks, coils , oils and put battery in your hold luggage
Bobby ********
Lisa Missdoom Molyneux. eCigs are illegal but it's getting caught by an "astute" that's the problem!
Lisa ********************
@Bobby *******
many, many people vape now in Thailand. You can even buy the vape kits etc, online
Bobby ********
Lisa Missdoom Molyneux. I know, in the same way as many people don't wear crash helmets and many people hire prostitutes. It's a selective law.
Gabriel ********
Buying or selling ecigs is illegal...using them is not
Garrett ***********
Law says they're illegal, enforcement is hit or miss.
Ian *********
@Garrett **********
like a lot of laws in Thailand not always enforced,BUT it can be,many people don't have the intelligence to understand that
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