No more smoking in public in Thailand
Travellers, be aware that new regulations are issued by the Department of Public Health in Thailand which will force smokers to stay well away from public buildings and public areas. The ban will include people smoking outside café and restaurants.
No smoking signs must be posted in accordance with ministry regulations and that the areas surrounding such signs in all directions will be considered off limits to smoking, reads the guidelines.
Signs are only permitted away from doors, windows, entrances and exits, pipes and ventilation openings and must clearly state in Thai and English that smoking is not permitted within five meters. This includes condos, rental buildings, pubs, hotels, religious buildings, karaoke establishments, restaurants, laundries, salons, cinemas, parking areas, spas, areas for Thai massage, clinics, hospitals, schools, swimming pools, fitness parks, clinics and ‘other places’. The regulations also specify precisely where internal smoking areas in buildings may be located.
The new regulations will come into force in 90 days of this latest announcement.
Other regulations, coming in within 180 days, refer to permissible wording that can be used on cigarette packets. Language such as “low tar”, “classic”, “women” and “sexy” will not be allowed.
People flouting the new regulations will be fined 5,000 baht, reported The Thaiger.