The Thailand smoking ban, which was put into effect in February 2019, prohibits people from lighting up in several public places including beaches, airports and hotels. Here’s everything you need to know.
Attention smokers: Be mindful of where you take a smoke break in Thailand. The country has had enough of cigarette butts being left behind by thoughtless smokers, so a ban has been implemented. Offenders will be charged a fine up to 5,000 bhat–roughly $160.00 USD.
The new Thailand smoking ban, which includes vaping and e-cigarettes, already prevents people from smoking on beaches. But now there’s many more additional no smoking zones. The new regulations from the Ministry of Public Health state smoking is illegal at the following locations:
- airports
- amusement parks and water parks
- banks/cash machines/ATMs
- cinemas and other entertainment venues
- condos, apartments & rental buildings
- fitness parks and gyms
- government offices
- hospitals and clinics
- hotels
- grocery stores
- libraries
- laundries
- massage and spa venues
- public parking areas
- pubs
- religious buildings
- restaurants
- schools and nurseries
- shopping malls
- swimming pools
- toilets (public toilets)
- various transportation areas including bus stops, piers and taxi/mini-van stands
One thing for smokers to note is that the Thailand smoking ban is now not just prohibiting smoking inside some buildings, but also outside if it’s within 5 meters of a public entrance or exit. While the new Thailand smoking ban is much stricter, in some cases there will be smoking rooms and areas allowed at transportation hubs and other venues. No smoking signs will be prominently featured.
The Thailand smoking ban was first created after the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) revealed it cleans up tens of thousands of cigarette butts left on Thailand beaches.