webfact Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Thai Officials Eye Shisha And E-Cigarette TaxBy Khaosod EnglishActress Sumontip "Gubgib" Leuangthai posted a photo of her smoking a shisha at a hotel swimming pool in August 2013. Despite the popularity of shisha in Thailand, no law exists to regulate it. [Photo from instagram]BANGKOK — Thai authorities many soon regulate and levy taxes on shisha and electric cigarettes, officials at the Ministry of Finance said.Neither product is currently registered under any Thai laws, officials said.Shisha, known to the Thais as baragu, is increasingly popular among Thais and widely sold in nightclubs and restaurants, while electric cigarettes have also made a recent entry to the Thai market.Officials said that despite its widespread use, shisha is in fact illegal and police officers have the right to confiscate the product from any establishment that sells it.Amending the Tobacco Act of 1996 to include shisha and e-cigarettes will allow the state to legalise, regulate, and tax the products."It depends on the consideration of the new Minister of Finance whether the items will be taxed," an official said.The official added that Ministry of Public Health has also expressed concerns over the popularity of shisha, as the tobacco is six times stronger than regular cigarettes.Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1409581110&typecate=06§ion= -- Khaosod English 2014-09-02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Soutpeel Posted September 1, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted September 1, 2014 Thai authorities many soon regulate and levy taxes on shisha and electric cigarettes left hand doesnt know what the right hand is doing, wasnt there an announcement last week that shisha was going to be banned, and I was under the impression that e-cigarettes were "banned" already 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retell Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Like this news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bapoboy Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Like this news why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post retell Posted September 2, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted September 2, 2014 Like this newswhy?For i use those e sigs , and a nice sheesha with friends on a night out once inna while should be ok Perhaps its the thai tabacco monopoly that want to start producing those products as well ? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzra Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 New PM, New government, new taxes, expect more of the same, waste and energy time to regulate trivial items that will probably cost more to regulate than the tax money they will collect from, that in turn, will make café owners to hide/deny that they have those items, so the cat and mouse game begins, They never learn... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chao Lao Beach Posted September 2, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted September 2, 2014 Banned, Illegal but lets make a law to tax it I was under the impression that e-smokes were encouraged in countries that have strong anti smoking campaigns ? What have I missed. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooo Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Off topic post & replies deleted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmiuc Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 i don't know why they don't also tax women make up products and hair products...they are so popular right now... these products are like what cigs n alky is to men... whats fair in love n war hehe 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post lor Posted September 2, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted September 2, 2014 Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FATOZ Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Banned, Illegal but lets make a law to tax it I was under the impression that e-smokes were encouraged in countries that have strong anti smoking campaigns ? What have I missed. Australia has a very strong anti smoking campaign, and the sale of e cigs is prohibited under a ridiculous law that bans the sale of anything that imitates smoking, originally aimed at kids sweets that looked like cigarettes. You are however allowed to import e cigs from overseas for some bizarre reason. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post misterphil Posted September 2, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted September 2, 2014 Shisha, the fastest way to catch herpes in Thailand. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prism Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid! "Amending the Tobacco Act of 1996 to include shisha and e-cigarettes will allow the state to legalise, regulate, and tax the products." Finally, common sense prevails. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebean001 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 I think I am reading that if they do not tax it then it is illegal. If they establish a tax on it, then it will be legal - right? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Neither product is currently registered under any Thai laws, officials said.<snip> Officials said that despite its widespread use, shisha is in fact illegal Anyone else notice a contradiction here? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats4ever Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Banned, Illegal but lets make a law to tax it I was under the impression that e-smokes were encouraged in countries that have strong anti smoking campaigns ? What have I missed. Australia has a very strong anti smoking campaign, and the sale of e cigs is prohibited under a ridiculous law that bans the sale of anything that imitates smoking, originally aimed at kids sweets that looked like cigarettes. You are however allowed to import e cigs from overseas for some bizarre reason. There seem to be some versions of electronic smokes about in ciggy stores in OZ. Not too sure about the law. I would never encourage anyone to smoke but, I do and have for a very long time. We are probably the only minority it is O.K. to pick on. Yes, I don't drop butts about (portable ash tray) and I try not to smoke where it would inconvenience others (some people do have highly sensitive honkers though; they start coughing 100m away). Thailand has every right to make its own laws, however it needs to be careful not to scare the horses too much. Most people travel to relax and enjoy themselves. Surely some areas for smokers could be arranged where it would not upset the wowsers too much? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prism Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 (edited) I think I am reading that if they do not tax it then it is illegal. If they establish a tax on it, then it will be legal - right? It appears that they are considering legalizing these products so they can then tax and regulate them. Edited September 2, 2014 by prism Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orosee Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Including a tobacco free product under the tobacco act? Very logical. Is it because it simulates smoking tobacco but without smoke or tobacco? Then I propose to include masturbation under the prostitution act, since it simulates sex without... Well you know what I mean. Shisha makes sense, but vapes? You know it's about the money, a sin tax on a sin free product. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razer Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Smart move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pib Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Thailand sure likes excise taxes, but they are only levying the taxes to help the country because through enhanced tax revenue comes better living, a happier society, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigman Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 It is naive to think that anybody" on the top" Cares about anybody "below" It's tax what they care about......and those below can do some barking ...only 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upena Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 There is no smoke with e-cigarettes, no tobacco in e-cigarettes, and in some cases, no nicotine. This is all about recouping lost tax revenue. This will be done to "protect Thailand's youth". 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richusa Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 End of walking street, if you want a shisha it's there. In Bangkok Soi 3,4,5......it's there.....the police are getting paid to look the other way...nothing changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 tax tax ban ban crackdown crackdown...... No change in politics over the last 15 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charmonman Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 (edited) <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script> Neither product is currently registered under any Thai laws, officials said.<snip>Officials said that despite its widespread use, shisha is in fact illegal Anyone else notice a contradiction here? Yes, me too. Thaiand sees to have become a place where something not mentioned in any laws can become illegal at the whim of a minor meddling official. Maybe the government should concentrate on eliminating useless laws rather than inventing new ones that serve no purpose but to satisfy self-righteous prudes who like to interfere in everyone else's lives? Edited September 2, 2014 by charmonman 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empireboy Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Like this newswhy?For i use those e sigs , and a nice sheesha with friends on a night out once inna while should be okPerhaps its the thai tabacco monopoly that want to start producing those products as well ? Nothing changes the world over... Governments want their tax-grab and in this case, they have clearly simply over-looked these 2 items and now they are going to get their (share) take. Simple!! Whilst I don't mind the odd puff once in a blue moon, I applaud taxing anything that is potentially or ultimately harmful to people as it makes for bigger queues at hospitals; increases the burden upon others in both time and money, and ultimately society pays so I don't see a better way than society (via Govt.) collecting the extra funding they are going to shell out anyway,.... up-front! Am I missing something? If cigarettes were $100 a packet, kids would not be smoking. If kids were not smoking then far less adults would be! Net result? Better for everyone except cigarette companies! Like most of us give a <deleted> about them! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksam Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Shisha, the fastest way to catch herpes in Thailand. What are u smoking. I assume your rferring to herpes simplex 1. Or are u smoking it with the old fella. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemini81 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid! ..Then you have never heard of the Thai Excise department. They move Director generals around from one ministry to another so fast, none of them really get familiar enough with one ministry enough to really be an expert, nor devise any good working tax planning... I guess that is a good excuse for them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
car720 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Banned, Illegal but lets make a law to tax it I was under the impression that e-smokes were encouraged in countries that have strong anti smoking campaigns ? What have I missed. Australia has a very strong anti smoking campaign, and the sale of e cigs is prohibited under a ridiculous law that bans the sale of anything that imitates smoking, originally aimed at kids sweets that looked like cigarettes. You are however allowed to import e cigs from overseas for some bizarre reason. There seem to be some versions of electronic smokes about in ciggy stores in OZ. Not too sure about the law. I would never encourage anyone to smoke but, I do and have for a very long time. We are probably the only minority it is O.K. to pick on. Yes, I don't drop butts about (portable ash tray) and I try not to smoke where it would inconvenience others (some people do have highly sensitive honkers though; they start coughing 100m away). Thailand has every right to make its own laws, however it needs to be careful not to scare the horses too much. Most people travel to relax and enjoy themselves. Surely some areas for smokers could be arranged where it would not upset the wowsers too much? To hell with the wowsers. Ok, be considerate, I do too but give me a fat black cigar dipped in Jack anywhere and anytime. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triplebank999 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Banned, Illegal but lets make a law to tax it I was under the impression that e-smokes were encouraged in countries that have strong anti smoking campaigns ? What have I missed. Well you certainly missed out on learning to read properly. The plan is to regulate them under the law then tax them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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