Thailand Customs Seized Illegal E-Cigarettes Worth Millions

Aug.27.2024
Thailand Customs Seized Illegal E-Cigarettes Worth Millions
Thai customs intercepted over 128,000 illegal e-cigarettes worth $590,000, showing increased efforts to combat smuggling in the country.

According to a report by Siamrath on August 26, Thai customs intercepted a shipment of illegal e-cigarettes in Phetchabun province on August 23, with an estimated value exceeding 20 million Thai baht (about $590,000 USD).

Thailand Customs Seized Illegal E-Cigarettes Worth Millions
Thai customs seized a total of 128,130 disposable e-cigarettes, worth over $590,000. | Image source: Siamrath


In a recent statement, Panthong Loikun, a spokesperson for the Thailand Customs Department, emphasized that the government places a high priority on combatting the smuggling of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. In recent years, e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular among young people and the general public. Smugglers often modify their appearance and even mix them with other drugs, posing a serious threat to public health.

Thailand Customs Seized Illegal E-Cigarettes Worth Millions
Thai customs seize 128,130 disposable e-cigarettes worth over $590,000 | Image source: Siamrath


In response, Director General of the Customs Department Teerachai Attawanich proposed a series of strict measures to enhance prevention and crackdown on smuggling activities.


According to reports, on August 23, the Customs Department conducted a thorough inspection of a container from China at a freight station in Mora Phan province, and found that the declared contents did not match the actual goods. After a detailed search, the customs officials seized a total of 128,130 disposable e-cigarettes, valued at over 20 million Thai baht (approximately $590,000). Among the confiscated products were e-cigarettes under the brand "INFY".


These goods were seized based on the relevant provisions of the Customs Law for false declaration, tax evasion, and violation of import bans.


Furthermore, Pan Tong also revealed that throughout the month of August, customs authorities have been cracking down on e-cigarette smuggling, resulting in multiple similar cases being discovered nationwide.


According to official statistics, from October 1, 2023 to August 25, 2024, the Thai Customs Department has dealt with a total of 343 cases of e-cigarette smuggling, confiscating over 1.2 million items related to the cases with a total value exceeding 92 million Thai baht (approximately 2.7 million US dollars).


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

Russian Duma Speaker Says Amendment Giving Regions Power to Ban Vape Sales Is Planned for Adoption in May
Russian Duma Speaker Says Amendment Giving Regions Power to Ban Vape Sales Is Planned for Adoption in May
Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said an amendment that would give Russian regions the power to ban vape sales is planned for adoption in May. Volodin said the decision concerns the health of citizens, especially children. He also said doctors have recorded a 30% increase in patients with respiratory diseases caused or aggravated by vape use, with adolescents and people under 35 most often affected.
Apr.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | China’s Two Sessions Revisit Consumption Tax Reform, Tobacco Tax Outlook Draws Attention
Special Report | China’s Two Sessions Revisit Consumption Tax Reform, Tobacco Tax Outlook Draws Attention
China’s 2026 “Two Sessions” again raised the issue of consumption tax reform. As the largest source of consumption tax revenue, the tobacco tax system—its collection stages, tax structure and regional revenue distribution—has re-entered the policy discussion. This article outlines the structure of China’s tobacco consumption tax, past adjustments and key areas of debate, providing international readers with background on one of the country’s most important tax categories.
Special Report
Mar.08
KT&G Moves Ahead With Oral Nicotine Product Development and Pilot Line Preparation
KT&G Moves Ahead With Oral Nicotine Product Development and Pilot Line Preparation
According to a Korean media report, KT&G is developing a smokeless nicotine product that delivers nicotine through oral absorption and is preparing a pilot production line for research and development.
Apr.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Guernsey Rejects Petition to Overturn Under-18 Vape Shop Ban
Guernsey Rejects Petition to Overturn Under-18 Vape Shop Ban
A petition seeking to overturn a new ban on under-18s entering vape shops in Guernsey has been rejected. The Health and Social Care Committee said the measure meets its objective of protecting children from exposure to vaping products.
Mar.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Bangladesh High Court rule targets vape-ban clause; fines up to about $1,635 cited
Bangladesh High Court rule targets vape-ban clause; fines up to about $1,635 cited
Bangladesh’s High Court issued a rule asking why Section 6(G) of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 — which bans the import, supply and sale of vapes and e-cigarettes — should not be declared unconstitutional and illegal.
Mar.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Can hookah go institutional? A hookah company seeking to go public makes its case with capital, technology and regulation
Can hookah go institutional? A hookah company seeking to go public makes its case with capital, technology and regulation
2Firsts explored whether hookah can evolve into a more mature and governable category by interviewing Dubai-based hookah company AIR. AIR argues that strong margins, OOKA’s closed-system model and the prospect of differentiated regulation could support that shift. The larger question is whether this is simply AIR’s capital-markets narrative, or an early sign that competition, regulation and category boundaries in hookah are beginning to change.
Apr.02