Thailand Seizes 200,000 Illegal E-Cigarette Items in Major Bust

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of กรมศุลกากร : The Customs Department Facebook

 

A significant crackdown has led to the seizure of over 200,000 illegally imported e-cigarette items from China, with a total value exceeding 33 million baht. This major operation was unveiled by three Thai ministers on March 10, including Justice Minister Pol. Col. Thavee Sodsong, Minister Jiraphon Sinthuprai, and Deputy Finance Minister Chulaphan Amornwiwat, during a high-profile visit to Laem Chabang Port Customs Office.

 

Collaborating with the Department of Special Investigation, Customs Department, and Royal Thai Police, the operation involved inspections of shipping containers, resulting in the discovery of illegal goods including disposable e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and vape pods. The consignment, in breach of the Customs Act of 2017, also contravened the Ministry of Commerce’s 2016 regulations banning certain goods, reiterated by a 2014 declaration categorising such items as prohibited imports.

 

 

The Customs Department, under the guidance of Director General Teerach Atanavanich and his team, will appraise the seized e-cigarettes before handing them over to the relevant authorities for legal action. The Department of Special Investigation plans to expedite its inquiry to trace those involved in importing and distributing these items, with the goal of effectively deterring the proliferation of e-cigarettes nationwide.

 

By strengthening coordination among national agencies, Thailand aims to underscore its commitment to tackling illegal imports and ensuring the enforcement of stringent measures against e-cigarette distribution, ultimately seeking to preserve public health, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-11

 

 

[dinsdale]

I'm starting to wonder if this crackdown is permanent. I'm seeing vape shops as showing permanently closed online. Were showing temporarily closed. You can smoke cigarettes and dope but you can't vape. Madness. Legalize, tax and control. 10 months without a cig because of vaping now it's back to getting my nicotine from one of, if not the worst product for your health LEGALY available for purchase and consumption. This is Thaksin and others protecting the tobacco monopoly. Nothing, I repeat nothing to do with health.

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Nothing, I repeat nothing to do with health.

If you were really concerned about health you'd just give up any form of inhaling smoke?

[dinsdale]

8 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

If you were really concerned about health you'd just give up any form of inhaling smoke?

Only a non smoker would say this or someone who has successfully given up. This, however misses the point that Thailand says it's protecting the health of children and youth by cracking down on vapes when cigarettes a very dangerous and highly addictive product is legal and available everywhere with a flourishing online black-market.