Big Joke: Now the Lt-Gen goes after people selling E-cigarettes

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Big Joke: Now the Lt-Gen goes after people selling E-cigarettes

 

Image: Siam Rath

 

Thailand's top cop Lt Surachate Hakparn - the darling of the media known as Big Joke - has turned his attention to "bad people" selling cigarettes and vaping fluid. 

 

Though legal in many countries Thailand has a strict attitude towards vaping. 

 

Siam Rath reported that Lt-Gen Surachate was following orders from three of the biggest voices in the land: PM Prayuth Chan-Ocha, DMP Prawit Wongsuwan and RTP chief Chakthip Chaijinda. 

 

An anti smoking group was also demanding action.

 

Surachate said that in the latest action against the scourge of e-cigarettes 8 people had been arrested on warrants. One remains at large. 

 

Distributors were selling merchandise online through Facebook and Line, he said, adding that night markets were also places where e-cigarettes and vaping fluid was on sale. 

 

Since a crackdown was started 30 shops and 23 suspects have been targeted. 

 

A large vinyl sign featuring Surachate mentioned the Klong Tom market and night markets. Thirteen distributors were pictured with their eyes blacked out on the sign indicating they were wanted on warrants.

 

The latest arrests were made on March 22nd, last Friday. 

 

People selling e-cigarettes were described a "khon rai" (bad people) in the Siam Rath story.

 

Source: Siam Rath

 

 -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-03-28

[sammieuk1]

Welcome to the stone age of bans and backhanders where murders flee and vapors get hunted down in the smog ????

[worgeordie]

Go after the Vapors, while up in the North its burning,

must get priorities right.

regards worgeordie

[dwcrist]

If they really cared about health, they'd ban burning crops first (and enforce it), then real cigarettes, and then alcohol before banning vaping.

 

But they don't really care about the population's well being. They only want more things made illegal so that they can choose to enforce or not enforce laws at their convenience that make them look good, get promotions, and make them the most money on the side where possible.

 

[lemonjelly]

Making and enforcing laws purely for the power trip

[Lucius verus]

He might be one of the first to lose his position if  Peau ThaiParty gets into office and they should.

When smokes go to  90 baht - 120 baht /packet there will be a tsunami of smokes washing over the Laos border untaxed.

What the hell has vaping got to do with anything .These Thais in brown&biege uniforms are backwater buffoons.

[ChipButty]

CM has been Vaporized what about arresting them, how many Smog refugees on here?

[DrTuner]

Welcome to the nanny state.

[spidermike007]

The biggest joke simply can not wrap his mind around the fact that he is now the immigration chief, and continues to pretend to be the top cop he once was. 

 

The only reason why they are pursuing e-cigs is that the tobacco monopoly does not control them. This is an open and tacit admission that it is all about the money. End of story. 

 

 

[lamyai3]

3 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Go after the Vapors, while up in the North its burning,

must get priorities right.

regards worgeordie

I'm waiting for the announcement that people vaping are responsible for the country's air pollution. 

[sjaak327]

I hope that after the Junta has been side stepped in the lower house, we stop hearing from this person. Instead of going after all kinds of things that have nothing to do with his job description, he might actually streamline the department that he heads. So that people don't have to queue for hours on end just to enter the country.

[newcomer71]

"The darling of Thai media" defines him perfectly.

[JustAnotherHun]

By whom is this capaign sponsored? The tobacco industry?

[BestB]

3 hours ago, sjaak327 said:

I hope that after the Junta has been side stepped in the lower house, we stop hearing from this person. Instead of going after all kinds of things that have nothing to do with his job description, he might actually streamline the department that he heads. So that people don't have to queue for hours on end just to enter the country.

I am willing to bet he would be replaced once his sugar daddy is removed. He has upset a lot of people  including officers under his command and many others.

 

what started as a good job, turned into hunting games

[55Jay]

Wouldn't be surprised if a couple skinny kids with prison tatts ride by on a Honda Wave, and put this BJ guy down.  For free.

 

The Junta is acting brazenly ignorant and foolishly unconcerned with the rising tide of anger against them.  Right up to the moment peasants lash them to the stake in the town square.  Their pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears, so they use their last breath to curse the unpatriotic, ungrateful bastards.

 

"Uhhh, General, they look upset.  Do you think we pushed them a bit too far, sir?"

 

[Brigand]

China...here we come

[Destiny1990]

Health wise better a E sigarette then a real sigarette so why the crack down?

Edited March 28, 2019 by Destiny1990

[mommysboy]

It seems incredible- Thailand probably has the most draconian laws regarding vaping in the world (a few wacko places excepted).  Smear campaigns seem to triumph over fact lately - all over the world.