Pattaya Beach Smoking Ban


In their infinite wisdom, the Department of Marine & Coastal Resources has decided to enact a smoking ban on 20 of Thailand's beaches which include Pattaya and Jomtien.

The ban is due to come into effect on 1st November 2017.

As a non-smoker, it won't have any impact on me whatsoever. But, once again there appears to be no thought, logic or common-sense applied in the implementation of the ban.

My first point would be, why only 20 beaches? Why not every beach in Thailand? Why single out cetain locations and not others? It seems slightly unfair, don't you think?

The second point I would like to raise is the effect this will have on the already weakened tourist industry. The consumption of alcohol on the beach has already been banned and now with the cigarette ban, it is depriving local workers of much needed tourist income.

The third point is the government has cited discarded cigarette butts as causing an environmental hazard. But, in the past there was nowhere to extinguish cigarettes on or near the beach. Wouldn't it be sensible to provide people with a bin or other appropriate place to leave their cigarette butts instead of letting the problem escalate.

The fourth point I would like to mention is the fact that the punishments for people who violate the ban seem extremely excessive and dispproporationate. They include a fine of 100,000 baht (￡2,300 or €2,500) and up to a year in jail!!! The penalties are the same as somebody caught in possession of category 1 narcotics!!! It's insanity......

Finally, there has been no communication between the government and tourist organisations, to advise people who are considering visiting Thailand, that there will be a ban in place.

I can forsee lots of tourists falling foul of the law, simply because they were not made aware of the situation

Now I would like show you some of the other beaches that are on the list....... Hua Hin, Cha-am, Rayong, Chantaburi and Koh Lanta......

Most of these beaches cater primarily for foreign tourists and it seems to be these tourists who are in the government's cross-hairs.

Looking at the situation objectively, rather than being a genuine attempt to protect the environment, it would appear to be just another crude money-making venture by the junta.

You have been warned.

For more information click on the links below...........

https://pattayaone.news/en/beach-vendors-preparing-smoking-ban/

http://www.pattayamail.com/news/smoking-ban-pattaya-area-beaches-begins-nov-1-189397

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