Thailand bans smoking on popular tourist beaches
2 hours ago BBC Asia
Thailand is introducing a smoking ban on beaches across the country with those caught violating the law facing up to a year in prison.
The measure will apply to up to 20 beaches in areas including the popular tourist destination of Phuket.
It comes after the country's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) said it had retrieved tens of thousands of cigarette butts left in the sand.
The DMCR said the discarded waste made up a third of all rubbish collected.
The head of the department, Jatuporn Buruspat, said that up to 138,000 cigarette butts had been collected by the environmental group over a 2.5km (1.5 miles) stretch of Patong beach in Phuket.
Mr Buruspat added that the while smoking will be prohibited on the beaches affected by the measure, there will be "designated areas" further inland where smokers will be able drop their litter "in provided containers".
The penalty for violating the ban is up to a year in prison or a possible fine of up to 100,000 baht ($3,000; £2,280).
The ban, which will come into effect next month, will apply to beaches in the provinces of Phuket, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri and Songkhla, and includes the popular resorts of Koh Samui and Pattaya, the Bangkok Post reports.
Thailand is initially implementing the ban on 20 beaches but said that if successful the measure could be uniformly adopted.
Mr Buruspat said that officials were also considering measures aimed at tackling the related issue of cigarette butts being dropped by tourists from boats.
Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
Just when I thought our chance had passed,you go and save the best for last.
- vincemunday
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Re: Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
This is a great start but when I was in Bang Saen the vast majority of rubbish was the bags used to sell food and lots and lots of plastic straws. It was quite funny, every time I came out of the sea I picked up some rubbish and dumped it in the bin which amused the Thai people no end, however after seeing me do it a few times some of the Thai holiday makers did it too.
The forest was shrinking daily but the trees kept voting for the axe as its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them.
- Stantheman
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Re: Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
Hope they post big signs, but dought it will be enforced against the tourist, especially the chinese tourists who are heavy smokers.
Re: Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
How are they going to Enforce flicking fag ends off a boat ?? TIT.
- UdonThaniPete
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Re: Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
They will be endorsing traffic laws next.
A pessimist see’s a difficulty in every opportunity,
A optimist see’s an opportunity in every difficulty,
I am the latter.
A optimist see’s an opportunity in every difficulty,
I am the latter.
- arjay
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Re: Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
It would be nice if they would enforce existing bans on smoking, in (all) bars and pubs in Bangkok.
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Re: Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
And all restaurants all over the country
Re: Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
funny you shouls that i was in " NANA PLAZA " this week and every bar a went into alowed smoking
i asked a lady about it and she said you can smoke in every bar in the area ...
- arjay
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Re: Thailand bans smoking on tourist beaches
Yes, indeed.
I've been in a few bars in the Sukhumvit area and finding that people were smoking in there, I would ask a staff member: "Oh, they're smoking in here?" (Hoping that the staff member would ask them to stop). However invariably the staff said: "Yes, it's Ok", and immediately brought me an ash tray!
So I as the non-smoker found I had to go and sit outside, to avoid the smoke inside!!