Butts out: Beach smoke ban sparks flaming row in Pattaya

[Video News]

 

Expats and foreign visitors have strongly criticised Pattaya’s new beach smoking ban—particularly at Dongtan/Jomtien beach—slamming it as ineffective and frustrating, with tourists reportedly ignoring the restrictions and vowing not to return if enforcement continues. Despite officials setting up designated smoking zones in public toilets behind the beach and warning that penalties could include fines of up to THB 100,000 or a year’s imprisonment, many feel it’s a pointless move that penalises smokers without changing behaviours.