Thailand Boosts Efforts Against Illegal Vaping and Cigarette Smuggling

Thailand is ramping up its efforts to combat the smuggling of illegal cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nitrous oxide, and ethomidate, as authorities conduct extensive enforcement actions against black-market operations. The government disclosed that more than 409 million baht in contraband was seized between October 2025 and May 2026 through coordinated actions involving customs and law enforcement agencies.

Deputy government spokesperson Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan confirmed that these operations were initiated under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s directive for enhanced enforcement against illegal trading and smuggling. Officials from the Customs Department, Ministry of Finance, and the Royal Thai Police’s Central Investigation Bureau have collaborated to trace illegal supply networks from their sources to distribution channels.

Reports indicated that over 49 million illegal cigarettes, valued at more than 225 million baht, were confiscated during the operations. Additionally, more than 548,000 e-cigarettes and vaping accessories with a value exceeding 71 million baht were seized, along with over 140,000 canisters of nitrous oxide worth around 95 million baht.

Investigators noted that smugglers have adapted their methods to evade stricter inspections, often declaring e-cigarette components such as batteries, devices, and liquid cartridges as regular electronic goods while concealing them within containers of consumer products.

A significant inspection of cargo shipments from China resulted in the confiscation of over 52,000 complete e-cigarette sets and 100 gallons of e-liquid, valued at more than six million baht. Subsequent searches in postal delivery avenues also led to the seizure of over 52,000 illegal vaping products and accessories.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, customs officials apprehended Thai travelers arriving from Tokyo, seizing e-cigarette devices and over 165,000 vape cartridges, with an estimated value of over 900,000 baht.

Authorities have expressed alarm regarding the growing smuggling of ethomidate, a hazardous substance mixed into vape liquid and sold under names like “space oil” and “zombie cigarettes.” More than 28 kilograms of ethomidate imported from India were confiscated, resulting in the arrest of a Thai trafficking network linked to the operation.

The government warns that illegal e-cigarettes, nitrous oxide, and chemical substances present significant health risks affecting the respiratory system, heart, and brain. Officials emphasized that the import, possession, or sale of e-cigarettes is illegal in Thailand, and violators risk severe legal repercussions.

Authorities are appealing to the public to refrain from supporting illegal vaping and cigarette products and to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement. The government has pledged to continue its anti-smuggling campaigns as it seeks to dismantle illegal trade networks and limit the spread of dangerous substances throughout society.