Thailand Strengthens Crackdown on E-cigarette Sales and Smuggling

Key points to watch:

1. Thailand has stepped up its crackdown on e-cigarettes, with all seized cases being referred to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to trace the flow of funds and freeze assets. Cases involving over 500,000 Thai baht (15,000 US dollars) will be handled immediately.

2. The focus is on conducting awareness campaigns on the dangers of e-cigarettes in schools, developing an online reporting platform, using AI to screen keywords, and prohibiting the online sale and transportation of e-cigarettes.

3. Review and revise relevant laws, establish a committee to consolidate laws, and report progress to the Prime Minister by March 15.

Jiraporn Sinthuprai, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, said on March 6 that authorities would follow the prime minister’s directive on e-cigarettes after a meeting on the issue, The Standard reported.

Jiraporn said the meeting covered emergency measures against e-cigarettes, public awareness efforts, and legal revisions, while also proposing long-term solutions. She instructed law enforcement agencies to compile enforcement results, report to the prime minister weekly, and update the public.

The public can report e-cigarette information through the Consumer Protection Office (CPB) or hotline. To facilitate tracking, the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) plans to develop an online platform for public reporting within 1 to 2 weeks.

Authorities will also prioritize school campaigns to raise awareness of e-cigarette risks and relevant laws, a key focus for the prime minister. Relevant departments will review laws for potential revisions and form a committee to consolidate legal changes.

In addition, another committee will be established to address long-term issues and report progress to the prime minister by March 15.

The Department of Digital Economy and Society (DE) will use AI to screen keywords and has recently convened major online platforms and transportation companies to stress that the sale and transportation of e-cigarettes are prohibited. Signs banning e-cigarette sales have also been posted at delivery points.

The smuggling of e-cigarettes through waterways and borders, especially along the northeastern border, is a serious issue. Customs will be the primary enforcement agency and will work with the security department to strengthen enforcement efforts. 

Moving forward, all cases detected at customs checkpoints will be handled strictly and referred to the AMLO to track the flow of funds and freeze assets, followed by further investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau.

Confiscated items involved in the case will be destroyed if a conviction is reached. Customs is currently considering the method of destruction but has noted insufficient budget for the procedure. The matter will be reported to the prime minister for further action. Newly seized items will also have to wait for a conviction before being destroyed.

Jiraporn emphasized that, regardless of the case size, items valued over 500,000 Thai baht (15,000 US dollars) will be immediately transferred to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) for handling. Items valued below 500,000 Thai baht will still be tracked and forwarded to AMLO for further processing.