Thai Police Investigated for Bribery in Electronic Cigarette Case

Sep.16.2022
Thai Police Investigated for Bribery in Electronic Cigarette Case
Thai police under investigation for soliciting bribes from three men carrying e-cigarette devices into Thailand, where they are prohibited.

Thai police are being investigated for allegedly soliciting bribes from three men who carried electronic cigarette devices into Thailand. The incidents took place in Songkhla province, which borders Malaysia.


Thailand has one of the strictest electronic cigarette bans in the world. The sale and importation of e-cigarette products are illegal in Thailand, and possession of these devices can sometimes result in prosecution. Despite the ban and strict enforcement, the country still maintains a thriving black market for e-cigarette products.


There has been a recent debate about loosening Thailand's e-cigarette laws, with one cabinet minister strongly advocating for a regulated market. However, he faces strong opposition from the country's public health agencies who are firmly against liberalization.


The police negotiated the amount of the bribe.


Three men were arrested at a police checkpoint in Songkhla's Hat Yai district for allegedly bringing electronic cigarette products into the country from Malaysia. Local police informed the men that possession of electronic cigarettes carried a fine of 50,000 baht (approximately $1,365) per person, but offered to reduce the amount to 5,000 baht if each person paid a bribe of 10,000 baht (about $273). The final settlement was made at a total of 10,000 baht for all three men, which they agreed to, and they were subsequently released. This information was reported by The Thaiger.


One of the victims of bribery, Pachara Sirithorn, has chosen to warn others by sharing his story on Facebook. The post gained enough attention that police leaders took action, with Akkarawut Thaneerat, the chief of the Hat Yai police, announcing an investigation and temporarily suspending three officers suspected of soliciting bribes.


The history of Thailand's strict law enforcement and corruption.


Thailand has a history of police corruption and overzealous enforcement of electronic cigarette laws, including raids and arrests of sellers, tourists charged with "importing" their own e-cigarette products into Thailand, and other incidents involving alleged bribery. The Thai authorities have taken extremely harsh actions against e-cigarettes, to the point that the official UK government tourism website issued a warning to British tourists in 2017 not to bring e-cigarettes to Thailand.


Of course, corruption within the Thai police is not limited to soliciting bribes from e-cigarette users. There have been numerous recent examples involving Google.


In June, a Bangkok metropolitan police officer was found guilty of 65 counts of soliciting bribes from massage parlors and was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment. Earlier this year, six police officers in Nakhon Phanom province were transferred pending an investigation into bribery by drug dealers. Last year, a man suspected of drug trafficking died from apparent police brutality, with the local police chief being the prime suspect in the death.


The tobacco industry in Thailand is owned and regulated by the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM), which is the only cigarette producer approved by the government in Thailand.


Statement:


This article is compiled based on third-party information and is intended solely for exchange and learning within the industry.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the content. The translation of this article is only intended for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the translator's ability, the translated article may not fully express the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government in regards to any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign-related statements and positions.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Rumors Emerge of Two Leading Chinese E-liquid Firms Ordered to Suspend Operations; No Official Notice Found
Rumors Emerge of Two Leading Chinese E-liquid Firms Ordered to Suspend Operations; No Official Notice Found
Rumors suggest two leading Chinese e-liquid firms have been ordered to suspend operations for up to a month, though no official confirmation has been issued.
Jul.30
South Korean Study: E-Cigarette Sales Double in Five Years as Smokers Shift to Novel Tobacco Products
South Korean Study: E-Cigarette Sales Double in Five Years as Smokers Shift to Novel Tobacco Products
In recent years, smokers in South Korea have increasingly turned to e-cigarettes. The use of nicotine alternatives has led to a younger demographic among smokers, with a rising smoking rate among female adolescents. The government needs to strengthen its regulatory measures.
Jun.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thai Police Seize 22,900 Smuggled E-Cigarettes Worth Approximately $310,000
Thai Police Seize 22,900 Smuggled E-Cigarettes Worth Approximately $310,000
On July 9, Thailand’s highway police intercepted a van smuggling e-cigarettes, seizing 22,920 devices worth around 10 million baht (approximately $310,000), and arrested the 41-year-old driver. This is the largest e-cigarette smuggling case in the country so far in 2025, and police plan to expand the investigation.
Jul.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI Shares KPMG Report on Social Media: EU Illicit Cigarette Consumption Rises 20% as Prohibitive Policies and Excessive Taxation Fuel Black Market
PMI Shares KPMG Report on Social Media: EU Illicit Cigarette Consumption Rises 20% as Prohibitive Policies and Excessive Taxation Fuel Black Market
Philip Morris International (PMI) shared a KPMG report on social media revealing a 20% increase in illicit cigarette consumption across the EU. The report warns that excessive regulation is fueling black markets and calls for a comprehensive response—including science-based policies and stronger enforcement—to address this global threat to public health and safety.
Jun.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Photo Gallery| FEELM, Alfakher, RELX, and Many Other Brands Launch Transparent Oil Tank Products
Photo Gallery| FEELM, Alfakher, RELX, and Many Other Brands Launch Transparent Oil Tank Products
2Firsts conducted an in-depth visit to the exhibition hall and observed on-site that many brands, including FEELM, Alfakher, and RELX, have launched transparent oil tank products.
Jun.18
US Study: Inadequate Nicotine Pouch Packaging Sparks Concerns Over Child Safety
US Study: Inadequate Nicotine Pouch Packaging Sparks Concerns Over Child Safety
A new study shows a 760% surge in nicotine poisoning cases among children under six, with novel nicotine pouches identified as the main culprit. Experts are calling for stronger child safety protections.
Jul.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai