E-Cigarettes / Thai Customs Question

[CharlieH]

1 hour ago, CeeGee said:

Just looking at the e cig situation from another side.

Possible situation.I do not import an e cig but when I am in Thailand I buy one from the local market.Going home I arrive at the airport and at security the metal detector or x ray show the e cig in my hand luggage.Perfectly legal to take on plane(subject to rules battery etc), I am going through security not customs and if anything I am exporting the e cig.

 

Anyone encountered this? am I breaking any laws? can security do anything because as far as I can see the rules are only about importing or using.My interpretation of the rules is that it is illegal to import or use nothing about carrying or owning.

 

Do you really want to take that gamble and possibly face what may follow? Is that e-cig that important.

 

Its Thailand, you may walk by you may not, like so many things here its up to who you encounter on the day.

 

But note this from the opening post "an e-cigarette and related items are the prohibited goods in Thailand, you or anyone will not be allowed to import/export these items into/out of Thailand whether personal use or commerce."

 

Your call, choose wisely.

[CeeGee]

On 5/31/2018 at 6:38 AM, Kohsamida said:

will not be allowed to import/export these items into/out of Thailand whether personal use or commerce.

Did not notice that in the OP, makes it clear what the situation is.Not for me to argue with their rules. Just thought that as you do not go through customs on your way out,what would happen?

 

[SooKee]

Upshot is these are illegal items in Thailand. You may be lucky, you may not. If airport security are bothered and find the items they will be confiscated. There have been numerous stories in the media of these devices being confiscated, incoming or outgoing. As has been said, your call.

[NCC1701A]

8 hours ago, CeeGee said:

I buy one from the local market.

illegal.

 

While electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are used around the world as a way of helping people quit smoking, travellers coming to Thailand should be aware that these devices are in fact illegal in the kingdom.

 

https://www.tourismthailand.org/What-news/detail/Electronic-cigarettes-are-illegal-in-Thailand--2779

 

 

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

illegal.
 
While electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are used around the world as a way of helping people quit smoking, travellers coming to Thailand should be aware that these devices are in fact illegal in the kingdom.
 
https://www.tourismthailand.org/What-news/detail/Electronic-cigarettes-are-illegal-in-Thailand--2779
 
 

Illegal. Like dildoes, pirated disks, fake handbags and watches, human bodies for rent, and other things illegal but on sale openly “in the kingdom”.

[SooKee]

Indeed. But you're not looking at a 20-30,000 baht fine or worse for being caught with any of those.

[BestB]

18 hours ago, CeeGee said:

Just looking at the e cig situation from another side.

Possible situation.I do not import an e cig but when I am in Thailand I buy one from the local market.Going home I arrive at the airport and at security the metal detector or x ray show the e cig in my hand luggage.Perfectly legal to take on plane(subject to rules battery etc), I am going through security not customs and if anything I am exporting the e cig.

 

Anyone encountered this? am I breaking any laws? can security do anything because as far as I can see the rules are only about importing or using.My interpretation of the rules is that it is illegal to import or use nothing about carrying or owning.

 

I just experienced that . Going outside of Thailand , they saw I had ecig in my luggage.

 

told me to take it as hand luggage.

 

this worried me ,so I grew a brain.

 

removed battery and took it without battery . Went through the X-ray with no probs at all.

 

moral of the story, remove battery and keep it separate then all it shows is just a plastic case .

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Indeed. But you're not looking at a 20-30,000 baht fine or worse for being caught with any of those.

Caught with an ecig, at an airport?
Importation is illegal, and sales supposedly.
Nobody has yet shown me the relevant Thai law or Minestrrial declaration that states possession of an ecig, or puffing on it, is “illegal”.

[BestB]

45 minutes ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

Caught with an ecig, at an airport?
Importation is illegal, and sales supposedly.
Nobody has yet shown me the relevant Thai law or Minestrrial declaration that states possession of an ecig, or puffing on it, is “illegal”.

Once you facing the judge, you can mention it to him/her and see where it gets you?

[CharlieH]

"The law" will be the guy in a uniform, probably with a gun, telling you it is!.

As is the case when most offences occur.

You can debate it til your hearts content from the jail you'll be placed in if you dont/wont/fail to comply.

 

Good luck with that scenario.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

"The law" will be the guy in a uniform, probably with a gun, telling you it is!.
As is the case when most offences occur.
You can debate it til your hearts content from the jail you'll be placed in if you dont/wont/fail to comply.
 
Good luck with that scenario.

I don’t smoke cigarettes or “vape” an ecig but I do have a lawyer and a more than “influential” person “on call” in case of such a situation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SooKee]

3 hours ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

Caught with an ecig, at an airport?
Importation is illegal, and sales supposedly.
Nobody has yet shown me the relevant Thai law or Minestrrial declaration that states possession of an ecig, or puffing on it, is “illegal”.

Try a few Google searches. Your lack of awareness will have zero impact on the legality of using an e-cig here, or the invariably severe penalties of being caught with one, regardless of who your chums are.

 

I'd never normally bother wasting time pointing out the error of folks views to the 'righteous indignation / nobody has shown me' crowd but just in case anyone else wishes to risk burying their head in sand, or follow your lead with the 'nobody has shown me' line, and risk getting caught with one of these devices, the legislation which folks find themselves at the wrong end of is Section 27 of the Customs Act (essentially being in possession of anything which has not been taxed given that it's importation is illegal).  Up to 5 years imprisonment and / or hefty fines with the average going street fine of between 20-30,000 baht, IF your'e lucky.  E-cigarettes, along with shisha etc, was banned from importation in 2014.  Maybe your lawyer buddy can look it up and show you.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

No foreigner or Thai has been prosecuted for puffing on an ecig or vape mod.

If I’m wrong please provide a link.

I don’t know if the ecrap is still sold (openly) at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar but cops can go down to any central area in Chiang Mai nightly to find people vapping openly, why don’t they do that?

[BestB]

4 minutes ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

No foreigner or Thai has been prosecuted for puffing on an ecig or vape mod.

If I’m wrong please provide a link.

I don’t know if the ecrap is still sold (openly) at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar but cops can go down to any central area in Chiang Mai nightly to find people vapping openly, why don’t they do that?

You right, no one

http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/18/thailand-citizens-are-being-arrested-for-vaping/

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Did you read the article? She was arrested, not prosecuted.

 

They are probably after here for other things.

The other case mentioned was for sales.

[SooKee]

 

27 minutes ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

Dd you read the article? She was arrested, not prosecuted.

They are probably after here for other things.

The other case mentioned was for sales.

For me, I'll leave you to your train of thought.  Others would be wise to look around the Internet, including the Thai sites, before going out in public or entering Thailand with an e-cig, confidence is fine, not when it's based on idiocy.  There are numerous stories of folks encountering significant problems within the last few years, most involving the payment of 20-40k 'fines' to avoid getting locked up. I can explain it to people, I can't understand it for them.

 

First you started off with the 'nobody has shown me' line, it's been shown to you.  Now you change tack and go off down the prosecution route.  The two main cases in the media nobody knows the result of.  I'm done here, before you find another tack to take.  Digging deeper holes doesn't get folk out of them.

 

Anyone that wants to contend with an experience like this based on having a pet theory (that one can only really describe as stupid beyond belief) about the current state of affairs , feel free:  https://vaperanks.com/blogger-arrested-for-possession-of-electronic-cigarette-in-thailand/

[CharlieH]

You dont need to be "prosecuted" to face "on the spot" fine and or detention/arrest. Why risk inconvenience , cost and stress !

 

I suggest that is not a situation that most people would want to encounter whilst on holiday in a foreign country or at the airport enroute to board a flight.

 

 

 

 

[BestB]

3 hours ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

Did you read the article? She was arrested, not prosecuted.

 

They are probably after here for other things.

The other case mentioned was for sales.

Did you expect them to follow up ? Did you need step by step what happens after the arrest?

arrested , bail, court, fine or whatever punishment 

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

There are hardly ever any follow up to these stories. Customs mailed the OP his eCig. So far Big Joke has not shown up with a SWAT team at his Condo in a Sting operation. Wish him luck, best to not import any more ecigs.

 

I do not believe there was any prosecution for possession or puffing on an eCig. In order for the prosecution's case to succeed before a magistrate there must be a ministerial declaration or actual gazetted Thai law to cite. All I have been shown is a tattooed net idol who hangs her cleavage and bare thighs out on youtube, a possible violation of the computer crimes act. 

 

For bent cops and their intimidation tactics there are ways to handle them politely that do not involve meekly buckling under and chuffing out huge on the spot cash fines, as long as one has Thai contacts to he

 

If there is a Thai law however vague to show any simple possession of an item of tax not being paid is an offense, please provide a link. What about all those possessing dildoes, pirate discs, fake watches clothes, and handbags most imported from China and no tax paid? 

 

Same for the "many" people who have had to pay 30000-40000 in fines. It is best to not get too axle wound about every story one hears on the internet, or the bar-stool. Much of it is fake news.

[Kohsamida]

Guys, I think you’re making more out of this than there is with regard to legal issues.  I don’t deny it is now “illegal” to possess. E-cigs but, regardless of the sensational news stories (designed to hook readers) of people being busted on the streets and locked for 10 years for puffing, I haven’t run across a single verified example.

 

What’s more, I was confronted once at the Pattay airport heading for Chiang Mai when TSA agents discovered mine in my carry-on bag.  They simply asked me to remove the battery and place it in my checked luggage.

 

Fact is, this law has very little to do with health issues, but rather with money.  The government taxes cigarettes, so e-cigs take away that income stream.  The Thai government is actually now debating how they can effectively tax them which kind of says it all!  So, this law is likely to change in the near future.

 

On ethical grounds, some may argue that they are unhealthy to use, but they are, without question, far less unhealthy than cigarettes, and most people who use them are doing so in order to quit cigarette smoking, so in that light they are actually a healthy alternative.

 

Personally, I don’t use them in public anymore than I’d smoke cigarettes in public...because it’s rude to others.  I only vape at home, and I don’t think I’m running the risk of having my door broken down and arrested.

 

Truth is, there are plenty of laws on the books everywhere that are rarely if ever enforced.  This is one of them.

[Kohsamida]

On 9/4/2018 at 1:54 PM, BestB said:

You right, no one

http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/18/thailand-citizens-are-being-arrested-for-vaping/

That article is not representative of the typical person who vapes.

 

I realize some people are “arrested”. I’ve yet to read of anyone actually being prosecuted.

 

For those actually arrested, it’s like getting stopped for not having a Thai driver’s license...you make a “contribution” to the cop’s retirement fund.

[BestB]

6 minutes ago, Kohsamida said:

Arrested, not prosecuted.  In other words, a “contribution” was probably made to the cop’s retirement fund.

You have no idea what happened after the arrest. Contributions are made prior to arrests not post arrests

[Kohsamida]

6 minutes ago, BestB said:

You have no idea what happened after the arrest. Contributions are made prior to arrests not post arrests

...and neither do you, which is my point; I’ve yet to hear of a person actually behind bars for vaping in Thailand, and the law has existed since 2014.

 

It’s a rediculous law which has very little to do with protecting public health, and a lot more to do with protecting the interests of the Thai tobacco industry and the government’s income stream from taxing them.  

 

It’s illuminating to know that the idea of taxing e-cigs is currently being debated by the Thai government.

 

[BestB]

Just now, Kohsamida said:

...and neither do you, which is my point; I’ve yet to hear of a person actually behind bars for vaping in Thailand, and the law has existed since 2014.

Doh, so the assumption is nothing happened?

 

being jailed and having to go to court are 2 difrejt things.

 

they may have been taken to court, pleaded guilty and were heavily fined

[Kohsamida]

12 minutes ago, BestB said:

Doh, so the assumption is nothing happened?

 

being jailed and having to go to court are 2 difrejt things.

 

they may have been taken to court, pleaded guilty and were heavily fined

I’m not assuming anything, and since there is no verified record of any foreigner being prosecuted, neither should you.

 

The article that was referenced was of a high profile THAI CELEBRITY, not an ordinary citizen or foreigner.  Take that as you will.

 

The only verified stories I’ve read about Farangs are of people having to make “contributions”

[BestB]

1 hour ago, Kohsamida said:

I’m not assuming anything, and since there is no verified record of any foreigner being prosecuted, neither should you.

 

The article that was referenced was of a high profile THAI CELEBRITY, not an ordinary citizen or foreigner.  Take that as you will.

 

The only verified stories I’ve read about Farangs are of people having to make “contributions”

Do you understand the difference between prosecuted and jailed?

[tifino]

maybe? some smart enterpreneur will come up with a relative sideslip-of-the Issue... by releasing e-shisha onto the streets!

[BestB]

2 minutes ago, tifino said:

maybe? some smart enterpreneur will come up with a relative sideslip-of-the Issue... by releasing e-shisha onto the streets!

Ejuice is shisha just in liquid form ?.

 

phillip Morris already makes ecigs, not long before it hits the market and they will “ rethink “ its policies