Are e-cigarettes and vaping legal in Thailand?

E-cigarettes and vaping are **completely illegal** in Thailand under multiple laws: **Applicable laws:** - **Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017)** — importation of e-cigarettes is prohibited - **Order of the Ministry of Commerce (2014)** — bans import of baraku/e-cigarettes/ENDS - **Computer Crime Act B.E. 2560 (2017)** — applies to online sales - **Consumer Protection Act** — prohibition on sale **Penalties:** - **Possession/use:** Fine up to THB 500,000 and/or up to 5 years imprisonment - **Import:** Fine up to 4x the item's value and/or up to 10 years imprisonment - **Online sale:** Additional penalties under the Computer Crime Act **What counts as an e-cigarette:** - All vapes, vape pens, mods, pods - IQOS and heated tobacco products - Refill liquids and cartridges - All ENDS devices regardless of nicotine content **Common scenarios:** - Customs officers at airports actively search for vaping devices - Police in tourist areas (Khao San Road, Pattaya, Phuket) conduct random checks - Tourists have been fined THB 10,000-30,000 on the spot (sometimes without official receipts) - Devices are confiscated and destroyed **Important notes:** - The ban applies equally to Thai nationals and foreigners - Even zero-nicotine devices are illegal - There is no medical exemption - Despite visible use in some tourist areas, enforcement is inconsistent but penalties are real - Thailand's Public Health Ministry has repeatedly rejected legalization proposals