Karon –
Provincial officials in Phuket have arrested four individuals accused of illegally peddling e-cigarettes along Kata and Karon beaches, following complaints from tourists about unauthorized street vendors.
The operation was carried out this week. The team investigated reports of vendors disturbing visitors in the busy tourist zone. Authorities seized 63 e-cigarette devices of various brands during the raid. The suspects were taken into custody and handed over to investigators at Karon Police Station for prosecution.
The four detainees face multiple charges, including:
- Violation of customs law: Concealing, selling, or possessing goods prohibited under Section 242 and Section 246 of the Customs Act (2017), in line with the Ministry of Commerce’s 2014 ban on importing e-cigarettes and hookah devices.
- Consumer protection violations: Selling prohibited products in breach of Order No. 24/2567 of the Consumer Protection Committee, punishable under Section 56/4 of the Consumer Protection Act (1979, amended).
Thailand has maintained a strict ban on the import and sale of e-cigarettes since 2014, citing health risks and consumer safety concerns. Enforcement has been particularly active in tourist-heavy provinces like Phuket, where authorities aim to protect visitors and maintain public order.
