Crackdown on Illegal E-cigarettes and Laughing Gas Leads to 693 Arrests

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

In a determined effort to curb the illegal trade of e-cigarettes and laughing gas in Thailand, the Royal Thai Police arrested 693 individuals over a high-intensity seven-day operation. These arrests, part of a crackdown running from February 26 to March 4, resulted in the seizure of contraband valued at over 42 million baht.

 

Deputy police chief, Pol Gen Prachuap Wongsuk, led this initiative and shared the outcomes during a press conference. The operation targeted e-cigarettes, which are banned in Thailand, along with laughing gas—known scientifically as nitrous oxide.

 

Though nitrous oxide is legally used in medical settings for its anaesthetic properties, it is frequently misappropriated for its psychoactive effects.

 

Across the nation, police successfully executed 669 cases within the week, capturing 693 suspects. Among the seizures, authorities confiscated 454,958 e-cigarettes with an estimated street value of approximately 41.91 million baht. Additionally, they seized 2,334 tubes of laughing gas valued at around 100,000 baht.

Of those arrested, significant attention was given to three individuals identified as major distributors, while the rest were minor dealers. Notably, 12 arrests occurred in tourist-heavy areas, six near educational institutions, and three specifically involved in the trade of laughing gas.

 

This initiative highlights the ongoing efforts of the Royal Thai Police in reinforcing the country’s public safety laws, particularly concerning substances with potential for misuse.

 

The operation not only underscores the legal constraints surrounding e-cigarettes and nitrous oxide in Thailand but also reflects the broader challenge that law enforcement faces in monitoring and dismantling networks dealing in illicit substances.

 

As the authorities press on with their commitment to eliminate illegal substance distribution, both citizens and visitors are reminded to remain vigilant and adhere to Thailand's regulations regarding prohibited products.

 

This operation serves as both a cautionary tale and a warning to those considering involvement in illegal trade, as the police ramp up their efforts to ensure the welfare and safety of the community, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-03-08

 

 

[ChipButty]

Leads to 693 arrest, where and who? I saw this on FB the other day, I didn't click the link it looked a bit dodgy, 

[dinsdale]

Vape shops where I am have closed for now. Interesting how this is a 'public safety concern" yet cigarettes are legal and available everywhere. I'm not saying cigs should be illegal I'm saying vapes should be legal. I'm certain that there are some BIB not happy with this crackdown as it stops part of their extra income stream. I wonder how long this is going to last. Not too long hopefully.

[anchadian]

 

What has the most deaths, tobacco products or e-cigarettes?

 

I thank we know the answer to that simple question.

 

Again, shame on Thailand.  

 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8748352/

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Vape shops where I am have closed for now. Interesting how this is a 'public safety concern" yet cigarettes are legal and available everywhere. I'm not saying cigs should be illegal I'm saying vapes should be legal. I'm certain that there are some BIB not happy with this crackdown as it stops part of their extra income stream. I wonder how long this is going to last. Not too long hopefully.

 

Vapes and cigarettes are not comparable.

When folk buy fags, everyone knows what is inside them and they are taxed and controlled.

When folk buy vapes, there is no control or tax and no one really knows what they are buying.

Quite a few stories around the place about vapes containing 'drugs' in one form or another.

[ikke1959]

All about e cigarettes... but normal cigarettes are more dangerous for your health... Secondly Did they arrest their fellow policemen who are vaping too?? Same as Government officials, military men,?? Or do they have special privileges?? If they really did their job.... anyway it is ridiculous to do a crackdown now.. You can't allow it and than a crackdown.. How many tourists will such actions cost? There are many tourists who are vaping and they not welcome in Thailand. And TAT screaming we need tourists but they are not allowed to do anything. Having a alcoholic drink between 14.00 and 17.00 impossible or maybe out of the minibar in your hotelroom... Vaping not allowed.. Driving a motorcycle without an international driverslicense not allowed, but most foreigners have a much better driving education than the Thai people... Want tourists... welcome them or decide that you don't want them...and stop with silly crackdowns on "normal" 21st century things like e cigarettes.. Do a crackdown on normal cigarettes too or if you want that people stop smoking raise the taxes make them very expensive.. Same already is be done by imported wines and liquors and other articles

[fanof3d]

Complete BS. Nice story though. 699 in 7 days....WOW...must have been extremely busy. Where did they house all of these criminals.

Obviously underage smoking and especially vaping with illegal substances is bad but Thailand really has nothing in place to really combat it other than these glamorous stories about over the top arrests.

 

Don't worry though, we'll hear the same story again in 2 months where the same amount or more were arrested. Same crap. Instead of dealing with real problems, they love these headlines about issues they have no real control over. Go into any 7-11 or cigar shop and see how many cigarettes are sold. The # of brands are endless. Not only that, it doesn't take a rocket science to learn how to do yourself. Thai people are ingenious when they want to be.

 

Crackdown is one of their favorite words to use for any topic they wish to talk about. Laughing gas is the only thing the RTP ingests in reality.

[Dirk Z]

I am involved with a 25 year old young man who had been inhaling laughing gas in a bar on Khaosan road. He has now been in coma on ICU for almost a week. Unclear if there will be residual brain damage after he wakes up. Nothing to laugh about.

[fanof3d]

Very true, nothing to laugh about but "where" do they get it? Smuggled in, allowed, homemade? These are the real issues to address, not just talking about it. Thais LOVE to talk but as I mentioned, haven't seen any programs / tasks forces / classroom education that I know of to aggressively get at the issue. It's no different than encountering idiots on ya ba and trust me that drug embraces anyone....even inside gated communities where you think it's safe. They simply don't care. You'll hear the news story when SHTF but little more in the way of solving the issue.

 

I know that on a micro level, locals in certain areas do try but really starts at home with loving parents who care enough to educate and look after their young ones who will understand to stay far away from any of that crap......rich or poor.

[Dirk Z]

2 hours ago, fanof3d said:

Very true, nothing to laugh about but "where" do they get it?

 

Laughing gas is not listed as a drug as such although it has psychotropic properties. It is used by restaurants as a pressure gas for applying cream, as in bakery. So it is commercially available. In the Netherlands this was the reason to ban the large containers. As a result the streets there are littered with the small metal capsules which you can also buy here on Lazada (219 baht for 10). Khaosan road appears to be a major hub for this gas.