Tourists Caught With E-Cigarettes May Be Fined or Jailed in Thailand

Tourists Caught With E-Cigarettes May Be Fined or Jailed in Thailand

BANGKOK, April 24, 2026 — A U.S. media report has warned foreign tourists travelling to Thailand that the country strictly enforces its ban on e-cigarettes, with violators facing fines or possible imprisonment.

The warning, published by the New York Post, highlighted that Thailand’s anti-vaping laws apply equally to visitors and residents, with no special exemptions for tourists unfamiliar with local rules.

The report cited the case of British tourist Sarah Green, who said she was using an e-cigarette on a beach in a Thai tourist area when officials intervened.

Green said she and a friend were taken to a police station for questioning in what she described as a stressful and frightening experience while overseas. They were later released after paying a 40,000 baht fine.

Authorities also warned them that repeat offences could lead to prison sentences of up to five years, according to the report.

Thailand’s embassy in Stockholm has separately issued a public notice reminding travellers that while e-cigarettes are widely used in many countries, they remain illegal in Thailand.

The embassy said penalties may include imprisonment or fines several times higher than the value of the prohibited items.

Thai authorities have repeatedly said many visitors are unaware that possessing or using e-cigarettes can constitute a criminal offence, leading some to be fined or arrested immediately.

Thailand introduced a ban on e-cigarettes in 2014 and remains among countries with some of the region’s toughest restrictions on vaping products.

Although legalisation has occasionally surfaced in political debate, the government has continued enforcement campaigns against the sale, import and use of e-cigarettes.

Tourism operators have increasingly been urged to inform travellers in advance to avoid legal trouble during visits to one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations.