Tide may turn if PPRP is victorious poll
The particular laws regulating e-cigarettes have sparked controversy, prompting a cabinet minister to propose vaping be legalised while police have got launched operations in order to crack down on the sale of the devices.
The move came following a police officer allegedly required a foreign tourist spend 60, 000 baht for possessing an e-cigarette in Pattaya, triggering a public argument on whether owning vaping devices ought to be illegal.
Critics ask precisely why the devices are so easily available in the country if they happen to be against the law.
Digital Economy plus Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn accepted on Thursday that e-cigarettes are well-liked by certain groups of individuals in Thailand and are also legal in many other countries.
” Vaping has become part of their way of life , ” he said.
“In countries where vaping is definitely banned by law, individuals still find methods to sell and make use of them secretly, leading to unlawful businesses and bribes [among authorities]. They may be still sold both online and in markets [despite being illegal].
“We need to stop pretending [vaping has been successfully banned]. We are still struggling to deal with the issue.
“Most importantly, I think vaping should be legalised therefore the government can gather taxes from e-cigarettes for the benefit of the public.
“If vaping is decriminalised and related laws are amended to become compatible with people’s way of life, this would also assist in preventing bribery and corruption.
“I will also push for that decriminalisation of vaping to be a policy from the Palang Pracharath Celebration for the coming common election, ” mentioned Mr Chaiwut, who may be also a deputy head of the ruling celebration.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thammasuthee, commander from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s (MPB) investigation centre, said the MPB commissioner, Pol Lt Gen Thiti Saengsawang, has instructed all 88 police stations in Bangkok to ramp up crackdowns on those who sell e-cigarettes.
Earlier, a senior sergeant major in the police force was transferred to a good inactive post pending an investigation after he or she was alleged to have got demanded 60, 000 baht from an international tourist who was caught with a vape.
His move came in the wake up of a news document and associated pictures that aired upon Channel 3 on Tuesday.
A Chinese tour guide reportedly delivered a message to other manuals in his group stating a tourist below his care had been detained for having a vape by a policeman who demanded the whopping amount. After some bargaining, the sum was reduced to thirty, 000 baht. The incident allegedly happened in Pattaya close to Jan 28.
After learning about the report, Pol Maj Gen Kampol Leelaprapakorn, the Chon Buri police superintendent, sent an immediate letter telling the chief of Pattaya police to investigate the matter.
The probe found the policeman was Pol Snr Sgt Maj Noppakrit Pornwatanathanakij, a traffic police officer. Pol Maj Gen Kampol upon Tuesday transferred your pet outside Pattaya to help with the operations centre at Chon Buri police headquarters. The fact-finding committee continues to be set up.
Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, office of the Office associated with Legal Affairs plus Litigation under the Regal Thai Police, stated e-cigarettes are prohibited under the Customs Respond, the Public Health Ministry Act and a good announcement issued by the Commerce Ministry.
Pol Col Prateep Charoenkul, mouthpiece secretary-general of the Workplace of the Consumer Defense Board (OCPB), mentioned the OCPB takes tough legal motion against anyone offering e-cigarettes.
Even if those who possess them do not know these are illegal, the gadgets must be confiscated plus destroyed, he stated.
Patcharapan Prajuablap, secretary-general of the Thailand Youth Start, said courier companies must be better looked at so illegal products cannot be shipped into the country easily.