Thai MP Allegedly Caught Vaping in Parliament Sparks Outrage

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS

 

In a recent turn of events that's captured nationwide attention, a photo of People's Party MP Chorayuth Chaturapornprasit allegedly holding an e-cigarette within the hallowed halls of Thailand's Parliament has gone viral. The image, quickly disseminated through social media, has ignited a robust public outcry, prompting calls for an official inquiry into the incident.

 

The photograph appeared on a well-known Facebook page, sparking a wave of shares, likes, and comments as it quickly spread across the platform. Many of the public reactions have been critical, highlighting the legislative member's controversial behaviour in contravention of Thailand’s strict no-smoking policies within government premises.

 

More compelling is the fact that possession of e-cigarettes in Thailand is illegal in itself, an infraction which could result in imprisonment, fines, or both, with penalties reaching up to 500,000 Thai Baht.

 

As the image gained traction online, critics pointed out that MPs, as public figures and lawmakers, are expected to exemplify legal and ethical conduct. The incident has placed significant pressure on the People's Party to respond.

 

In an official statement, Pakornwut Udompipatskul, Deputy Leader of the People's Party, addressed the controversy by acknowledging the need for an internal investigation to establish the facts behind the photo.

 

He emphasised the party's commitment to transparency and responsibility but also noted that such behaviours aren't confined to a single party. "This has happened in other parties as well. The focus is on the People's Party only because a photograph exists," he remarked.

While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Pakornwut highlighted the importance of handling the issue with measured diligence, asserting that no discussion with Chorayuth had occurred at the time of the statement.

 

This unfolding situation serves as a reminder of the intricate balance public figures must maintain between personal actions and their professional responsibilities. As citizens continue to voice their concerns over social media, it presses the issue of accountability and draws attention to the broader discourse on vaping regulations and political decorum in Thailand.

 

The incident remains under the scrutiny of both the public and internal party mechanisms. As the investigation proceeds, the focus on lawmakers’ adherence to legal stipulations and public expectations remains a key theme in the discourse surrounding this event, reported Thai PBS

 

-- 2025-03-12

 

 

[Tidal wave]

It's ok he only vapes weed flavor.

[Tropicalevo]

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

MPs, as public figures and lawmakers, are expected to exemplify legal and ethical conduct.

 

Not many MP's in the government parties would pass that test.

[JoePai]

a robust public outcry

 

There seems to be many very sad members of the public in Thailand

[bamnutsak]

That hairstyle seems like a bigger crime?

 

Is it a Thai mullet?

 

 

[ChaiyaTH]

What is the outrage about, personal use is allowed. That certain people want to ban it does not mean everyone wants that. Child behavior.

[Dan O]

No need for a fact finding panel to determine what happened here. I think the picture speaks for itself. Just more political lip service to give the appearance of actually caring or doing something. 

[Dan O]

10 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

What is the outrage about, personal use is allowed. That certain people want to ban it does not mean everyone wants that. Child behavior.

Where are you seeing its allowed for personal use? Can you share a link as I understood it to be illegal to have vapes here

[dinsdale]

The only outrage I feel is that vaping is illegal. Absolutely ridiculous. Virtually nothing in this article addresses the fact that vaping is widespread and considered a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking and a way of stopping cigarette smoking which is obviously a positive health outcome. This is the only mention of a discussion that needs to occur in this article.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

draws attention to the broader discourse on vaping

 

[Tropicalevo]

9 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

What is the outrage about, personal use is allowed. That certain people want to ban it does not mean everyone wants that. Child behavior.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

More compelling is the fact that possession of e-cigarettes in Thailand is illegal in itself, an infraction which could result in imprisonment, fines, or both, with penalties reaching up to 500,000 Thai Baht.

 

Unfortunately, it is the law.

Also, smoking (of anything) in parliament and other government premises is banned.

[dinsdale]

12 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

What is the outrage about, personal use is allowed. That certain people want to ban it does not mean everyone wants that. Child behavior.

Nope. Get your facts right.

[ChaiyaTH]

3 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

 

Unfortunately, it is the law.

Also, smoking (of anything) in parliament and other government premises is banned.

Vaping is not smoking.

[ChaiyaTH]

6 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Nope. Get your facts right.

Get your facts right, asked the police in BKK several times, fly with it since years etc etc.  The ban on sales officially ended sine 2019 too, there is just a consumer protection thing in place only as well it is illegal to import them from abroad only specifically. The same that personal use (if not in public areas) can not be fined / penalized (ensured even more since the incident with the Chinese model). This also explains why you see sellers regardless.

 

Like 30% of tourists alone vape. If it was different than this there would not be debates in the first place.

[2long]

The 'Uncles' and 'Team Tony' can use this as an excuse to disband the whole party and ban all members for 20 years!

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Get your facts right, asked the police in BKK several times, fly with it since years etc etc.  The ban on sales officially ended sine 2019 too, there is just a consumer protection thing in place only as well it is illegal to import them from abroad only specifically. The same that personal use (if not in public areas) can not be fined / penalized (ensured even more since the incident with the Chinese model). This also explains why you see sellers regardless.

 

Like 30% of tourists alone vape.

I'm amazed you can post this when even in the article it states:

1 hour ago, webfact said:

More compelling is the fact that possession of e-cigarettes in Thailand is illegal in itself, an infraction which could result in imprisonment, fines, or both, with penalties reaching up to 500,000 Thai Baht.

 

Yes vapes have been available and usually not a problem but since this crackdown on vapes vape shops are now either temporarily closed or have shut down for good.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

More compelling is the fact that possession of e-cigarettes in Thailand is illegal in itself, an infraction which could result in imprisonment, fines, or both, with penalties reaching up to 500,000 Thai Baht.

Now he understand that it would have been much cheaper to buy regular cigarettes and smoke in the right places. This guy must be one of the smartest in the parliament.

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

Now he understand that it would have been much cheaper to buy regular cigarettes and smoke in the right places. This guy must be one of the smartest in the parliament.

One of the things about vaping is you can just have a puff or two. Cigs on the other hand remain lit until stubbed out. Vaping is superior to cigarette smoking in every way. Not saying they're a healthy alternative to cigs but the are undoubtedly healthier.

[Gottfrid]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

One of the things about vaping is you can just have a puff or two. Cigs on the other hand remain lit until stubbed out. Vaping is superior to cigarette smoking in every way. Not saying they're a healthy alternative to cigs but the are undoubtedly healthier.

Think you need to study that a little bit more. Good luck!

[dinsdale]

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Think you need to study that a little bit more. Good luck!

Are you saying that smoking cigarettes is a healthier alternative to vaping or they are as bad as each other? Please note the comparative adjective healthier.

[ikke1959]

What a stupid article... How many police officers, Government officials teachers and the list can go on are vaping?? But because someone of the Peoples Party is doing it. it must be news... Maybe an idea to make pics of all others Thais that are doing it and make the same post. Thailand wake up.. You can;t turn the time back again same as with cannabis. Legalize it for the tourism sector, for the common people, and if you want that people stop, make it expensive... Much more money to earn than with 300 THB entrance fee, as tourists will not come if you have nothing to offer.

 

The media is only putting the PP in a bad daylight because they know they will reform the country and all news that can damage them is enlarged and published... This is not so worse than the lying Prawit about his millions THB worth watches 

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Are you saying that smoking cigarettes is a healthier alternative to vaping or they are as bad as each other? Please note the comparative adjective healthier.

Nothing is sure here. As vaping is fairly new, they don´t have any statistics of long term effects. Therefore it´s impossible to say today. Out of what I have been read, I would make the conclusion that it has to do with age and your smoking habits. Both those factors will direct the outcome. They see vaping as generally healthier than regular cigarettes. However, that is based on vaping being a cleaner form of nicotine as some ingredients are removed or minimized. How maybe too clean nicotine in larger doses will affect our health, that remains to be seen.

[dinsdale]

59 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

What a stupid article... How many police officers, Government officials teachers and the list can go on are vaping?? But because someone of the Peoples Party is doing it. it must be news... Maybe an idea to make pics of all others Thais that are doing it and make the same post. Thailand wake up.. You can;t turn the time back again same as with cannabis. Legalize it for the tourism sector, for the common people, and if you want that people stop, make it expensive... Much more money to earn than with 300 THB entrance fee, as tourists will not come if you have nothing to offer.

 

The media is only putting the PP in a bad daylight because they know they will reform the country and all news that can damage them is enlarged and published... This is not so worse than the lying Prawit about his millions THB worth watches 

Partly agree in that the use is very wide spread and it should be legalized. As for making it so expensive that only the well off can afford vapes I can't agree to this. I do wonder where he got the vape from though as the entire market has been closed down to support and bolster the tobacco monopoly profits. As I've said health has nothing at all to do with this. This is purely a smokescreen.

[connda]

It's the end of the world as we know it.

[lordgrinz]

Thais don't care about laws, rules, or regulations. So I guess, in this case, what's good for the gander is good for the goose.

[MikeUdon]

That's my man! Welcome to the Thai vapers club! 

[sambum]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

What a stupid article... How many police officers, Government officials teachers and the list can go on are vaping?? But because someone of the Peoples Party is doing it. it must be news... Maybe an idea to make pics of all others Thais that are doing it and make the same post. Thailand wake up.. You can;t turn the time back again same as with cannabis. Legalize it for the tourism sector, for the common people, and if you want that people stop, make it expensive... Much more money to earn than with 300 THB entrance fee, as tourists will not come if you have nothing to offer.

 

The media is only putting the PP in a bad daylight because they know they will reform the country and all news that can damage them is enlarged and published... This is not so worse than the lying Prawit about his millions THB worth watches 

 

"This is not so worse than the lying Prawit about his millions THB worth watches"

 

Not even in the same class! Perhaps he could say that he borrowed the vaping machine from a friend who is now dead so he can't give it back ?

[Tengtai]

Is there anyone following the laws in Thailand???

[SS1]

Just legalize it with appropriate quality controls and stop being totally retarded..

[PETERTHEEATER]

Give the guy a break. He's just learning to play the recorder.

[Watawattana]

A hypocritical politician?  Never heard of such a thing!