Phuket —
Provincial authorities in Phuket have launched a major operation to regulate social order, targeting establishments suspected of operating as entertainment venues and illegally offering baraku (hookah) services. The raid followed public complaints about clandestine sales and services.
Undercover officers entered a venue in Rawai, ordering baraku to obtain a receipt as evidence. Once confirmed, officials moved in, arresting two suspects, one Thai national and one Myanmar national, and confiscating 57 items of evidence. Seized assets included 41 packs of baraku tobacco weighing 13.1 kilograms, 27 hookah pipes, 238 mouthpieces, 43 bowls, and other related equipment, with an estimated value exceeding 500,000 baht.
Charges filed against the suspects include:
- Concealing or trading goods in violation of the Customs Act (2017)
- Selling or offering baraku/e-cigarettes against Consumer Protection Committee Order No. 24/2024
- Failure to report employment of foreign workers
- Failure of a foreign worker to notify change of employer under labor law
The suspects and seized evidence were handed over to the Chalong Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Thailand enforces strict bans on baraku, electronic baraku, and e-cigarettes, prohibiting importation, sale, and service nationwide. This crackdown aligns with Prime Ministerial directives on nine key policy areas, including narcotics suppression, law enforcement, and tourist safety.
