Proposed Thai Laws for Vaping in Thailand

Again another couple arrested for using e-cigs:
Israelis arrested in Thailand for using e-cigarette | JerusalemOnline

 

Wish the report was a little more detailed - where they got arrested would be good to know given the current situation.

 

The only thing I don't understand according all these really very harsh laws, and not only vaping law, there are also other laws which have nothing to do with real crime. Why does the government always threaten with 5-10 years of jail, if its only because of money? Why people immediately get arrested, without any possibility to handle such a case with a fine and then release?
I believe any tourists would gladly pay any sum immediately and hand them over the gear, just to get home as soon as possible. Why do they get arrested? Some of them could even loose their jobs because of such a ridiculous thing.

 

I guess it is because they want to set up examples to create fear, afraid people are way easier to control (up to a certain point).

Thus said it shows a very bad example for foreigners who might consider other countries around to travel if the guidelines are way to harsh over here. As an expat living here for over 10 years I sure feel a lot more pressure and scrutiny from the government since a few years and it does not seem to get better anytime soon, at least while the military junta is still in power at the very least.

Vaping is just one of the many examples of the draconian laws poping out. Now you have to show an ID everytime you send a parcel, even inside the country. As a foreigner you have the obligation to carry your passport with you and can be fined if you don't, even if you have some sort of Thai ID card like a driving license. There is a law saying that you should notify immigration if you go to another district for more than 24 hours and then your owner has to notify again that he is renting to foreigners when you get back in the next 24 hours or he might face a fine. Import laws are getting stricter and stricter by the minute at the point it becomes very hard to shop online for goods if you are not very well informed and so on...

Of course not all of these laws are fully enforced (yet?) but you never know when you might get in trouble for something that used to be OK a few month back.

 

I'm flying in to BKK in a couple of weeks. I've just caught up with how serious the situation has become! Last time I was over (April last year) there were a few stories, posts, about a 'crackdown' but seeing as there's some kind of crackdown on something pretty much once a week I paid it no mind. Sailed through with all my vape gear in the hand luggage (liquids as well) and was vaping quite openly in Bangkok and Chiang Rai. Vaping seemed to have really caught on with the people up in our area of Chiang Rai with lots of people buying kit online and openly vaping everywhere so I thought it was all good.
Reading a few things recently has made me change my mind, especially this thread!
I'm feeling good that this time I'm not flying up to the house via DMK (I avoided it because of the reports of the roadworks causing massive delays getting there from downtown) but also still a bit nervous about security at BKK on the way up to Chiang Rai.
I can break down most of the gear, and the liquid, and stick it in the checked luggage, apart from the batteries, obviously.
Thinking of nipping in to the post office and sending a spare tank and battery up to the house via EMS the day before I fly out of BKK just in case security find it and bin it!
It would be a pain if they found it on my way into BKK, but replacements could be quite easily bought. Up in the sticks, not so much!
So, do you reckon a small parcel of 'computer parts' would raise any eyebrows at the airport post office?
Might even go to the trouble (and expense) of posting from the UK straight to Chiang Rai so there's definitely something waiting for me when I get there.

 

You can also order something here from the online shops in Thailand a day before you depart from England and it will also be at your address when you arrive here or at the post office waiting for you to pick it up.

 

@Konvict what a great idea! Thanks! Does this also work with a hotel address?

 

I never tried, but I am sure it will work. I would, if I did it, send an e-mail that they know that there will be a package delivered before you check in and if they will accept this package for you when you aren't there yet.

If you are already staying at the hotel it won't be a problem, just tell them at the reception that you will have a package coming your way.

 

I'm not sure about Thailand, but it's quite rare that a hotel will accept a package on your behalf unless you are already a guest there. If you haven't checked in (or if you've checked out), it's highly unlikely they'll accept the package... for security reasons. I suppose it also depends on what kind of hotel you're staying at... I think the cheaper hotels may have less rules and regulations in place when it comes to receiving packages, so you might get lucky in that sense.

 

Good idea! Do you have any recommendations of which online shop to use?

 

We haven't heard any problems here on the forum with the online shops mentioned in this thread.

Thailand Vapers FAQ's - READ THIS FIRST (There are NO B&M Vape Shops) | Thailand Vapers

 

Thanks for the link. Most of the kit seems to be out of stock though. Unless anyone knows of vendors with stock, it looks like I'll be either bringing it in (and using EMS from Bangkok) or mailing it direct from the UK.

 

Hi,
Didn't check their stock but I sent you a pm with 2 links of reliable vendors.
Vape on.

 

Hi @Fastoche may I ask you to send a PN to me also with some links - Thx