Following the ban on smoking e-cigarettes, Thai government has tightened the rules of conduct on different beaches around the country with a smoking ban on 24 popular beaches in Thailand with the penalty for smoking a cigarette on one of these beaches being up to one year in prison.
Thailand bans smoking on the beaches
Since February 2018, smoking is illegal on some of the beaches in Thailand. The decision to ban smoking came after the country's environmental authorities reported that they had collected tens of thousands of cigarette butts in the sand that many people have left in beach areas. They collected more than 100,000 cigarette butts from Phuket's most popular beach Patong alone every month.
Thailand has long fought against beaches filled with cigarette butts due to the huge impact that cigarettes have on the environment and its ecosystem, both on the ground and in the ocean. A single butt is capable of making a liter of water toxic to the point of killing fish.
Thai authorities have decided to put a stop to the freedom of smoking on the most popular beaches to maintain that natural charm that makes millions of people travel to the country every year. It is very important that its beaches are kept in the best possible condition so that travelers from all over the world can enjoy the beach with a cleaner and safer environment during a spectacular vacation.
Thailand beaches where smoking is banned
The number of Thailand beaches where smoking is banned has increased from the original 20 to 24. However, the smoking ban is expected to be extended to all public beaches in the future. At least for now, you should be aware that there is a smoking ban on 24 beaches in 15 provinces of Thailand as following:
- Patong Beach, Phuket
- Bo Phut Beach, Koh Samui
- Phra Ae Beach, Koh Lanta
- Khlong Dao Beach, Koh Lanta
- Laem Kho Kwang Beach, Koh Lanta
- Wasukree Beach, Pattani
- Hua Hin Beach, Hua Hin
- Khao Takiab Beach, Hua Hin
- Ban Chuen Beach, Trat
- Laem Sade Beach, Chanthaburi
- Saeng Chan Beach, Rayong
- Bangsaen Beach, Chonburi
- Tham Pang Beach, Koh Sichang
- Sai Kaew Beach, Chonburi
- Dong Tan Beach, Pattaya
- Cha-am Beach, Cha-am
- Sairee Beach, Chumphon
- Chalok Ban Kao Beach, Koh Tao
- Plai Sai Beach, Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Chalatat Beach, Songkhla
- Koh Khai Nok Beach, Phang-nga
- Koh Khai Nai Beach, Phang-nga
- Khao Lak Beach, Phang-nga
- Hat Samran Beach, Trang
If you are a smoker, don't panic. The state has set up areas for smokers on some of these beaches. So if you are a chain smoker and want to travel to Thailand, you can still do it. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that you must smoke in the areas assigned for it, if you want to avoid paying a large fine.
On the beaches where the smoking ban is not in effect, a series of containers are provided to leave cigarette butts, otherwise, you could face fines as well.
Fines for smoking on the beach in Thailand
The penalties for violating the ban on smoking on the listed beaches are high as smoking a cigarette there can bring you up to a year in prison or a fine of up to 100,000 THB (equal to about 2,760 Euro).