Chinese man detained in Thailand for smuggling e-cigarettes.

Dec.10.2024
Chinese man detained in Thailand for smuggling e-cigarettes.
Thai authorities seize 6,800 e-cigarettes in crackdown on smuggling ring targeting youth, arrest Chinese national in Bangkok.

According to a report by Thailand's National Television (Nation TV) on December 10, Major General Putthidet Bunkrapue, the commander of Thailand's Economic Crime Suppression Division, instructed relevant authorities to detain a Chinese man accused of "aiding in the concealment and sale of items that have not cleared customs." The confiscated goods included 6,800 e-cigarettes.

Chinese man detained in Thailand for smuggling e-cigarettes.
Thai authorities seized 6,800 e-cigarettes. | Image source: Nation TV


Previously, police investigation revealed the existence of a smuggling gang illegally importing e-cigarettes from overseas and planning to sell them to young people. Subsequently, authorities spent nearly two months conducting leads tracking investigations locally. Recently, police discovered that the gang had moved their storage location to the Bang Bon area in Bangkok. Therefore, they applied for a search warrant from the Thon Buri Criminal Court and found and seized 6,800 e-cigarettes in the residence. A Chinese man and the aforementioned items were seized.

Chinese man detained in Thailand for smuggling e-cigarettes.
Thai authorities seized 6,800 e-cigarettes | Image source: Nation TV


During police questioning, the man admitted that the e-cigarette belonged to him and is currently undergoing further investigation along with the confiscated items by the police.

Chinese man detained in Thailand for smuggling e-cigarettes.
Thai authorities seized 6,800 e-cigarettes | Image source: Nation TV


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Special Report | Altria's NACS Booth Raises Questions Over U.S. Tobacco Advertising Warnings
Special Report | Altria's NACS Booth Raises Questions Over U.S. Tobacco Advertising Warnings
During its coverage of Altria's booth at NACS Show 2026, 2Firsts documented product displays that prompted questions about U.S. tobacco advertising warning requirements. Following public comments from a former FDA official, 2Firsts sought responses from Altria and independently consulted U.S. regulatory lawyer Azim Chowdhury. Altria maintained that its B2B communications complied with applicable laws, while Chowdhury explained that federal warning rules provide no general trade-show exemption for e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The special report examines the broader regulatory implications.
Nov.04
Special Report | Russia Places Four JTI Businesses Under Temporary Management, a First for Tobacco Majors
Special Report | Russia Places Four JTI Businesses Under Temporary Management, a First for Tobacco Majors
Russia has placed shares in four Japan Tobacco International businesses under temporary management, the first such move involving a major global tobacco manufacturer, according to Interfax. JTI held 35.8% of Russia's tobacco market by volume in the first nine months of 2026. While British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands have exited Russia, Philip Morris International continues operating there. As the market changes and diplomatic efforts continue, could international tobacco companies that left Russia eventually return?
Nov.06
PMI Launches Fourth IQOS Convenience-Store Discount of 2026 for Black Friday in Japan, Cutting ILUMA i ONE to About $19 After Ploom AURA Fell to About $9
PMI Launches Fourth IQOS Convenience-Store Discount of 2026 for Black Friday in Japan, Cutting ILUMA i ONE to About $19 After Ploom AURA Fell to About $9
Philip Morris Japan launched its fourth confirmed nationwide convenience-store discount campaign for IQOS ILUMA i devices in 2026 on October 26, cutting three models by as much as ¥2,000, or about $12.70. The campaign began one day after JT ended a promotion that reduced Ploom AURA to ¥1,480, or about $9.40. JT says Ploom's share of Japan's heated-products category rose from 10.9% in January 2024 to 18.3% in June 2026, a gain of 7.4 percentage points, while PMI says IQOS still held about 68% category share in the third quarter. At the same time, Japan's two-stage heated-tobacco tax adjustment has pushed stick prices higher, leaving device discounts as an increasingly important tool for lowering the upfront cost of customer acquisition.
Market
Oct.28
Kumulus Vape2026 H1 Revenue Falls 8.3% but Profit Rises 24% as B2B Weakens and Consumer Channels Grow
Kumulus Vape2026 H1 Revenue Falls 8.3% but Profit Rises 24% as B2B Weakens and Consumer Channels Grow
French vaping company Kumulus Vape reported first-half 2026 revenue of €25.5 million, down 8.3% year over year, as its core B2B distribution business fell 11% to €21.6 million. B2C and store-network revenue rose 5.6% and 17.8%, respectively. Commercial margin increased to 26.3% from 21.7%, while net profit rose 24.1% to €0.8 million. The company attributed the profitability improvement to catalog optimization, logistics restructuring and the ramp-up of Labster, its in-house production unit for proprietary brands.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Wall Street Journal: U.S. FDA Plans Faster Vape and Nicotine Pouch Reviews, Revisit of 2021 PMTA Rule
Wall Street Journal: U.S. FDA Plans Faster Vape and Nicotine Pouch Reviews, Revisit of 2021 PMTA Rule
The Trump administration is preparing changes intended to accelerate FDA market authorization reviews for e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, according to The Wall Street Journal. The FDA is expected to revisit its 2021 PMTA rule and may simplify some scientific study requirements and shorten review times. The agency has not formally announced the changes. Over the past year, the FDA has already accelerated nicotine-pouch reviews, expanded ENDS authorizations and upgraded its CTP Portal NextGen application system. As of August 2026, 43 nicotine pouch products and 48 e-cigarette products had received FDA marketing authorization.
Sep.24
2Firsts Interview | Cigarette Sales Fall as Smokeless Alternatives Gain in U.S. Convenience Stores, NACS Says
2Firsts Interview | Cigarette Sales Fall as Smokeless Alternatives Gain in U.S. Convenience Stores, NACS Says
Ahead of the 2026 NACS Show, 2Firsts interviewed Chris Rapanick, NACS managing director of research, on changes reshaping the U.S. convenience-store tobacco and nicotine market. NACS data show cigarette sales declining while smokeless alternatives, including nicotine pouches, continue to grow. The interview also examines higher OTP margins, shifting backbar space, weaker store traffic, regulatory uncertainty and NACS’ outlook for 2027, offering a retailer-side view of one of the world’s largest nicotine markets.
Interview
Oct.03