A British tourist has warned travellers heading to Thailand not to pack vapes in their luggage after her partner was fined 40,000 Thai Baht, during a family holiday. Sara shared her experience on TikTok after she and her partner were stopped twice by Thai police within three days for using electronic cigarettes on a beach.

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Thailand welcomed more than 1 million British visitors in 2025 for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, with many tourists drawn by the country’s warm climate, street food and beaches. However, Thai law bans all e-cigarettes and vaping products, including nicotine-free devices, and authorities can impose heavy penalties on those caught possessing or using them.

Sara said police approached the couple while they were vaping on sunbeds at the beach. She claimed officers confiscated the devices, they had brought with them for the holiday and ordered them to accompany police for questioning.

She said: “I’m in Thailand, and in the past three days, I’ve had two run-ins with the police. If you’re thinking about vaping in Thailand, just don’t do it. It’s not worth it. We didn’t realise how strict it was on vaping out here.”

According to Sara, her partner was taken to a police station while she remained outside with their three children. She alleged officers intended to hold him overnight before taking him to court the next morning, but he eventually paid a 40,000 Thai Baht fine instead.

Thailand has outlawed all e-cigarettes since 2014. The ban covers refillable pod kits, disposable vapes, e-liquids, heated tobacco products and accessories, with no exemption for tourists or personal use.

Authorities can impose fines of up to 30,000 Thai Baht and prison sentences of up to one year for possession or use. Selling or dealing in vaping products carries penalties of up to 600,000 Thai Baht and prison terms of up to three years.

Importing vaping products into Thailand can result in fines worth up to four times the value of the goods in addition to a 30,000 Thai Baht penalty. Offenders could also face prison sentences of up to 10 years.

The Daily Mirror reported that the warning comes as increasing numbers of British tourists prepare for summer holidays abroad. Thai authorities have repeatedly enforced vaping laws against both residents and visitors, with confiscation, fines and arrests possible even for first-time offenders.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 13 May 2026

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Better beware, I think smoking regular ciggies on the beach is not allowed too!

More rubbish just for Tok Tik clicks

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Better beware, I think smoking regular ciggies on the beach is not allowed too!

Correct, I think its a 2000 baht fine, but only if they catch you!

Vape smokers have the same sense of entitlement as cannabis users.

Sad and selfish

1 minute ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Correct, I think its a 2000 baht fine, but only if they catch you!

There’s a lot of laws here, but next to nobody enforcing them.

1 minute ago, Kenny Boy said:

Vape smokers have the same sense of entitlement as cannabis users.

Sad and selfish

As do ordinary cigarette smokers!

3 minutes ago, Kenny Boy said:

There’s a lot of laws here, but next to nobody enforcing them.

Well if they can drag a victim off to the station and get 40,000 baht out of them, there is, at least, incentive!

All that smoking vape caused her to need new teeth...another dimwit influencer grifting

If you do the crime, be prepared to do the time (and fine). Adhere to the Thai laws and respect Thailand, even though they may not be enforced.

No use crying and complaining when you do get caught and fined. It basically came down to your lack of respect and stupidity.

I gave up smoking cigarettes going on 50 years ago, so I don't care what any one smokes as long as it's not in a confined area.The way the government carries on you would think that vaping and weed are bad for your health but smoking cigarettes is ok or is that a " smoke " screen to protect the tobacco industry that has a fair say in politics all around the World,

So which time did they figure out vapping was illegal? the first time the police stopped you or the second? Or after you read a post on FB?

Nice to add the tear jerker, "waited with the 3 kids outside the police station for daddy to be released". Nice touch

On a personal note: The guy who invented vapping should be strung up and stoned!

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

she and her partner were stopped twice by Thai police within three days for using electronic cigarettes on a beach

And she kept doing it after the first time the police told her to stop?

The article states fines up to 30.000 THB for posession or use.. why pay 40.000 THB?. Is there no article today that there is a crackdown on crimes committed by foreigners? Why pay more than the max. Fine is also a crime.... And how many Thais are vaping? Walk around in every place you see them, government officials,policemen, teachers, normal civilians, all no problem. But when a foreigner vapes.......problems..

Now she must be careful too as a defamation claim can be made to put Thailand in bad daylight.

18 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

The article states fines up to 30.000 THB for posession or use.. why pay 40.000 THB?. Is there no article today that there is a crackdown on crimes committed by foreigners? Why pay more than the max. Fine is also a crime.... And how many Thais are vaping? Walk around in every place you see them, government officials,policemen, teachers, normal civilians, all no problem. But when a foreigner vapes.......problems..

Now she must be careful too as a defamation claim can be made to put Thailand in bad daylight.

Thats a road side fine, A friend of mine got stopped DUI a few years back, and they wanted 40, 000 baht he told them to eff off he'll spend the night in jail and go to court in the morning, 5000 baht fine he got,

23 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

The article states fines up to 30.000 THB for posession or use.. why pay 40.000 THB?. Is there no article today that there is a crackdown on crimes committed by foreigners? Why pay more than the max. Fine is also a crime.... And how many Thais are vaping? Walk around in every place you see them, government officials,policemen, teachers, normal civilians, all no problem. But when a foreigner vapes.......problems..

Now she must be careful too as a defamation claim can be made to put Thailand in bad daylight.

2 violating the law

... "police approached the couple while they were vaping"

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A British tourist has warned travellers heading to Thailand not to pack vapes in their luggage after her partner was fined 40,000 Thai Baht, during a family holiday. Sara shared her experience on TikTok after she and her partner were stopped twice by Thai police within three days for using electronic cigarettes on a beach.

Get today's headlines by email

Thailand welcomed more than 1 million British visitors in 2025 for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, with many tourists drawn by the country’s warm climate, street food and beaches. However, Thai law bans all e-cigarettes and vaping products, including nicotine-free devices, and authorities can impose heavy penalties on those caught possessing or using them.

Sara said police approached the couple while they were vaping on sunbeds at the beach. She claimed officers confiscated the devices, they had brought with them for the holiday and ordered them to accompany police for questioning.

She said: “I’m in Thailand, and in the past three days, I’ve had two run-ins with the police. If you’re thinking about vaping in Thailand, just don’t do it. It’s not worth it. We didn’t realise how strict it was on vaping out here.”

According to Sara, her partner was taken to a police station while she remained outside with their three children. She alleged officers intended to hold him overnight before taking him to court the next morning, but he eventually paid a 40,000 Thai Baht fine instead.

Thailand has outlawed all e-cigarettes since 2014. The ban covers refillable pod kits, disposable vapes, e-liquids, heated tobacco products and accessories, with no exemption for tourists or personal use.

Authorities can impose fines of up to 30,000 Thai Baht and prison sentences of up to one year for possession or use. Selling or dealing in vaping products carries penalties of up to 600,000 Thai Baht and prison terms of up to three years.

Importing vaping products into Thailand can result in fines worth up to four times the value of the goods in addition to a 30,000 Thai Baht penalty. Offenders could also face prison sentences of up to 10 years.

The Daily Mirror reported that the warning comes as increasing numbers of British tourists prepare for summer holidays abroad. Thai authorities have repeatedly enforced vaping laws against both residents and visitors, with confiscation, fines and arrests possible even for first-time offenders.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 13 May 2026

View full article

Acceptable price for stupidity. I like the story ❗

She said: “I’m in Thailand, and in the past three days, I’ve had two run-ins with the police. If you’re thinking about vaping in Thailand, just don’t do it. It’s not worth it. We didn’t realise how strict it was on vaping out here.”

I'd have stopped doing it after the first run in with the fuzz. But that's just me.

Still, a good cautionary tale.

Two run-ins with police during a three-day period?

You mean, she didn't learn her lesson the first time?

Thailand should ban idiots from entering in the first place.

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

The article states fines up to 30.000 THB for posession or use.. why pay 40.000 THB?. Is there no article today that there is a crackdown on crimes committed by foreigners? Why pay more than the max. Fine is also a crime.... And how many Thais are vaping? Walk around in every place you see them, government officials,policemen, teachers, normal civilians, all no problem. But when a foreigner vapes.......problems..

Now she must be careful too as a defamation claim can be made to put Thailand in bad daylight.

There were 2 of them.

Caught vaping and fined. The next day commits exactly the same offence and complains that they were fined again.

You can’t teach stupid.

40,000 "special on spot fine" sounds like too much. Bad negotiator maybe. 4000 more reasonable. Even still quite high.

3 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

but only if they catch you!

Never forget the 11th Commandment. "Thou shall not get caught"

33 minutes ago, klaikangwon said:

40,000 "special on spot fine" sounds like too much. Bad negotiator maybe. 4000 more reasonable. Even still quite high.

33 minutes ago, klaikangwon said:

40,000 "special on spot fine" sounds like too much. Bad negotiator maybe. 4000 more reasonable. Even still quite high.

33 minutes ago, klaikangwon said:

40,000 "special on spot fine" sounds like too much. Bad negotiator maybe. 4000 more reasonable. Even still quite high.

Where do you get “on the spot” fine from? Assuming by on the spot you mean the spot where the offence was committed…. twice.

“According to Sara, her partner was taken to a police station while she remained outside with their three children. She alleged officers intended to hold him overnight before taking him to court the next morning, but he eventually paid a 40,000 Thai Baht fine instead”

"on the spot fine" sometimes used by policy to speed release of accused... it not "court fine" and "spot" may be anywhere but... it can help speed the release...

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Better beware, I think smoking regular ciggies on the beach is not allowed too!

Well it's NOT Allowed If they're are Stickers & Signs there saying Guess What ??" NO SMOKING In THIS Area,Punishable by a Fine of 2,000 Baht "

5 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Where do you get “on the spot” fine from? Assuming by on the spot you mean the spot where the offence was committed…. twice.

“According to Sara, her partner was taken to a police station while she remained outside with their three children. She alleged officers intended to hold him overnight before taking him to court the next morning, but he eventually paid a 40,000 Thai Baht fine instead”

he eventually paid a 40,000 Thai Baht fine instead”...It's what is Known as " A Shakedown " Must've been a MUG To pay it IMHO !!

It’s illegal here, but why do Thai authorities have such a hard on for vapes? I don’t use or know anyone that uses vapes, but what is the big deal for not wanting them here?

10 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

It’s illegal here, but why do Thai authorities have such a hard on for vapes? I don’t use or know anyone that uses vapes, but what is the big deal for not wanting them here?

It seems to be one of those Public Health fads that those people have become fixated on.

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Two run-ins with police during a three-day period?

You mean, she didn't learn her lesson the first time?

Thailand should ban idiots from entering in the first place.

They let you in.