Thailand Fights Illegal Online Vape Sales
Bangkok—Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, declared the initial phase of a nationwide crackdown on e-cigarettes a success, but emphasized the need to shift focus to online platforms. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister—who has labeled vaping “the people’s big misery”—vowed to escalate efforts against online vendors and smugglers.
This announcement follows a two-week blitz on physical vape retailers, yielding, according to the Prime Minister, impressive results: 1,078 cases involving 1,104 defendants and the confiscation of 900,444 items valued at over 118.9 million baht (approximately US$3.4 million). She noted a noticeable improvement in the situation due to this robust enforcement action.
The Prime Minister’s social media post followed a high-level meeting she chaired with Prime Minister’s Office Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai and representatives from the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to assess the campaign’s progress. The meeting highlighted concerns about cross-border smuggling and the easy accessibility of vapes through social media, issues now targeted for intensified action. Ms. Shinawatra specifically noted concerns about modified vaping devices used for narcotics, fearing this trend could fuel drug addiction among young people.
Underscoring the crackdown’s scale, Ms. Jiraporn revealed that seizures and arrests in the past two weeks mirrored the total for all of 2024. This intensified enforcement reflects the government’s commitment to tackling the issue. “No offenders, big or small, will be spared,” she declared. The strategy involves pursuing legal action against large-scale operators while tracing smaller sellers to their major suppliers, effectively dismantling the supply chain.
This multi-agency operation includes the RTP, the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, and the Customs Department. Financial investigations into confiscated goods are handled strategically: the Anti-Money Laundering Office investigates seizures valued at 500,000 baht or more, while police handle lower-value cases. Authorities have also successfully shuttered over 9,000 online sales channels, a significant step in curtailing the digital distribution of these prohibited products.
The Prime Minister’s assertive stance and robust enforcement actions signal a determined effort to combat Thailand’s vape epidemic. Shifting the focus to online platforms is a crucial next step, acknowledging the challenge’s evolving nature and the need for adaptable enforcement strategies. The ongoing campaign underscores the government’s commitment to protecting public health, especially among young people, and disrupting the illicit trade of these potentially harmful products.
