Smoking ban at 24 beaches in force from Thursday

When the clock ticks into Thursday, 24 beaches in 15 provinces will be stated no-smoking zones, with significant charges for lawbreakers.

The cigarette smoking restriction consists of popular Cha-am beach in Phetchaburi, Hua Hin and Khao Ta Kieb in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Dong Tarn in Pattaya, and will be strictly imposed from Feb 1 under the policies of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. (continues listed below)

The 15 beaches are the very first chosen for enforcement in an effort to keep them tidy and guarantee non-smokers can take pleasure in the fresh air. More beaches are anticipated to be contributed to the list in the future.

Phetchaburi deputy guv Natthawut Phetpromsorn stated on Wednesday he hoped Chao Sam Ran beach in Muang district would be on the next list.

The cigarette smoking restriction guideline was released in the Royal Gazette on Nov 2 in 2015, and works from 12.01 am Thursday. It was presented after close evaluation exposed unknown countless cigarette butts in the sand at test beaches.

Chala That beach in Songkla was the most cluttered, with 1770,000 cigarette butts discovered in the checked location of sand, according to the department.

Smoking cigarettes locations have actually been designated for cigarette smokers behind the 24 beaches, however cigarette smokers can no longer puff away anywhere at will. Lawbreakers deal with fines of approximately 100,000 baht and/or a year in jail.

” Any cigarette smokers strolling onto those beaches will need to put it out initially. Smoking cigarettes is strictly restricted on the beaches,” stated Bannarak Sermthong, director of the Area 4 Marine and Coastal Resources Workplace.

Hua Hin mayor Nopporn Wutthikul stated the restriction will make the beach tidy and lower contamination in the sea. Smoking cigarettes locations with ash trays have actually been gotten ready for cigarette smokers, he included.

Authorities in provinces where beaches are popular locations for travelers – such as Cha-am district in Phetchaburi and Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan – have actually released projects make visitors knowledgeable about the restriction.

In Cha-am, a pamphlet printed in Thai, Chinese and English is being distributed to visitors.

Authorities are looking for cooperation from stores and individuals leasing deck chairs in cautioning clients about the restriction and recommend them to go the cigarette smoking locations if they actually can not go without it.