The maximum penalties for smoking on the designated beaches is a whopping THB100,000 fine with the possibility of a one-year jail term. The same applies to anyone caught throwing cigarette butts or empty cigarette packs on the beaches.
National Marine and Coastal Resources Division director Bannarak Sermthong says violators will be warned at first before enforcement officials start getting tough. Phuket’s Patong Beach, Khao Lak in Phang Nga, Bo Phut on Koh Samui, Cha Am and Hua Hin are among the 24 listed in the first sortie against beach smokers.
The Marine Division claims the ban is necessary as the beaches are drowning in a sea of discarded butts and packets and these release poisonous chemicals into the environment. 12GO ASIA says more beaches are likely to be added to the list in the future but local authorities have been preparing for the ban by setting up smoking points equipped with seating and ashtrays.
D-Day for smoking ban on Thailand beaches is tomorrow
News in Asia
Tomorrow is the first of February and the day a ban on smoking on some of Thailand’s most famous beaches comes into effect. The prohibition covers 24 beaches and includes the most popular ones at Phuket, Phang Nga and Hua Hin. The ban was first announced in the Royal Gazette three months ago.