Thai beach smoking ban

This item appears on page 4 of the January 2018 issue.

Smoking was banned at 20 beaches in Thailand after complaints about too many discarded cigarette butts. At one location in Phuket, Patong, more than 101,000 butts were cleaned up at one time along the 2.5-kilometer beach. 

At each of the beaches where smoking is banned, which include popular spots all along the coasts, smoking is allowed outside of the beach area, and containers are provided at beach entrances for smokers to discard their cigarette butts. Those caught flouting the ban could face up to a year in prison or a fine of up to THB100,000 (near $3,000).

Smoking is expected to be banned at all beaches eventually.