According to a recent report by MGR Online, Phanthong Loykunlanunt, spokesperson for the Thai Customs Department, stated that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has ordered an acceleration in efforts to crack down on cigarette and e-cigarette smuggling activities.
The Director-General of Customs, Theerat Attanawanit, has responded to this policy and urged customs officials to strictly prevent and crack down on illegal activities. Customs officials will conduct thorough inspections at all checkpoints for any type of goods that may contain cigarettes or e-cigarettes, whether they are in containers or packages. In addition, they will collaborate with relevant departments such as the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Labor, Office of the Consumer Protection Commission, and the National Police Bureau to investigate smuggling activities of e-cigarettes. If there are leads regarding shops or warehouses possibly involved in smuggling and selling untaxed cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and their accessories, the department will conduct on-site inspections.
According to statistics, from May 1st to 17th, the Thai customs department has arrested 31 individuals suspected of smuggling cigarettes, seizing a total of 1,189,700 cigarettes valued at 6,730,518 Thai Baht (approximately $187,000 USD). Additionally, there have been 14 cases involving e-cigarettes, e-liquid, and e-cigarette devices, with a total of 35,336 items valued at 5,590,821 Thai Baht (approximately $155,000 USD). In total, customs have uncovered 45 smuggling cases, involving a total of 1,225,036 items valued at 12,321,339 Thai Baht (approximately $343,000 USD). According to sections 242, 246, 166, and 167 of the Thai Customs Act, these actions are considered criminal offenses.
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