Holidaymakers caught smoking on beaches in Thailand could be given a year-long prison sentence after the introduction of a smoking ban next month.
The new rules will apply to up to 20 beaches, including those in the popular tourist haunt of Phuket.
It comes after the country's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) said hundreds of thousands of cigarette butts had been left in the sand, with 138,000 picked up on a 1.5-mile stretch of Patong beach in Phuket alone.
There will be designated areas further inland where smokers will be able drop their litter in provided containers.
The penalty for violating the ban is up to a year in prison or a fine of up to 100,000 baht (£2,280).
It will come into effect next month and apply to beaches in the provinces of Phuket, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri and Songkhla, and includes the popular resorts of Koh Samui and Pattaya, according to the Bangkok Post.
The ban could be extended to all beaches if it is successful.
Courtesy of Travelmole
I think it’s a good idea - especially with kids about..
Good idea but a few may get caught out if the new law isn't signposted on those beaches. I am not really sure it is going to work though
I think they should give their more efforts on providing good security for foreign travelers.
The best news for years! Myself and my family are sick of going to beaches where the sand can hardly be seen for filter tips. Hope the Thais have enough cells to hold the ones who will no doubt ignore the ban.
Other good news is that millions of filter tips will not be polluting the ocean thanks to the Thai Government.
Other nations take note.
We have been trying to find clean beaches for years. Thailand is now on my "to go to" list.
Well done Thailand.
Other good news is that millions of filter tips will not be polluting the ocean thanks to the Thai Government.
Other nations take note.
We have been trying to find clean beaches for years. Thailand is now on my "to go to" list.
Well done Thailand.
Hi Nobby
Glad you have found us again! Thailand is a place I love. Have you been before?
Glad you have found us again! Thailand is a place I love. Have you been before?
I've read a lot of posts on various forums complaining about dog poop on the beaches.
Dog poop or tab ends? hmm... Let me think about that 😁
Where I go on the CDS, the guy who rents out the sunbeds he had made tin ashtrays that are screwed into the post which is holding up the parasol and dogs are not allowed on the beach.
That suits me just fine. 😁
Sanji x
Dog poop or tab ends? hmm... Let me think about that 😁
Where I go on the CDS, the guy who rents out the sunbeds he had made tin ashtrays that are screwed into the post which is holding up the parasol and dogs are not allowed on the beach.
That suits me just fine. 😁
Sanji x
In the Algarve they had stands at the entrance to the beach holding pointed ended ashtrays that you could poke into the sand.
Am imagining groups of people stepping into the walkway next to the beach to light up
Am imagining groups of people stepping into the walkway next to the beach to light up
Hi Fiona
Not yet. But as I said in my post, it is now on my "to go to" list. How do you feel about the beach smoking bans?
Not yet. But as I said in my post, it is now on my "to go to" list. How do you feel about the beach smoking bans?
Don't see a problem with having designated areas for smoking and non smoking and I'm not sure about the smoking situation in bars and restaurants in Thailand , of course a lot more people who having given up tobacco smoking now vape instead or use e cigs and even health professionals prefer smokers to give up and use e cigs or vape and if you go to Thailand and litter a butt on the beach you might get 1 year in jail , if you smoke an e cig you might get 10 years in jail .
Thailand is a lovely place with lovely people who are kind and generally display a relaxed disposition , or maybe they are conforming to break no rules to avoid jail or corrupt law enforcement .
Thailand is a lovely place with lovely people who are kind and generally display a relaxed disposition , or maybe they are conforming to break no rules to avoid jail or corrupt law enforcement .
I have never really noticed a problem at all. Koh Samui- we were on a quieter beach. Hua Hin- which I love doesn't really have a wonderful beach for sunbathing. Its great for walking along. We like to go down at lunchtime to one of the popular food stalls there. This is where Thais go and will be found have almost a feast and that section of the beach is virtually undercover. Wall to wall brollies. Thais don't like to sunbathe and covet white skin. It means that they are not having to work outdoors and are better off. This area may well have lots of cigarette buts.
I love Thailand!
I love Thailand!
Thanks Fiona. Yes I visited Thailand two times.
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