Bangkok: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), in collaboration with the Customs Department, has conducted a significant operation targeting the smuggling of e-cigarettes from foreign countries, resulting in the seizure of over 600,000 units. The estimated value of the confiscated items exceeds 100 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, the crackdown was announced at a press conference by key officials including Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruddhaphol Naowarat, Minister of Justice; Mr. Santi Piyathat, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office and advisor to the Deputy Minister of Public Health; Pol. Col. Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation; and Mr. Panthong Loykulnan, Director-General of the Customs Department and the Central Investigation Bureau. The joint efforts have been ongoing since the end of 2024, aiming to intercept illegal e-cigarette shipments at various customs checkpoints.
The operation led to the confiscation of 591,692 items, including e-cigarettes, spare parts, liquids, and related equipment, all valued at over 100 million baht. In an operation conducted between November and December 2015, authorities seized goods from seven containers, uncovering 46,260 disposable e-cigarettes valued at 10,000,000 baht. These items were found to be in violation of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) and were prohibited under the Ministry of Commerce’s regulations against the importation of hookahs, electric hookahs, or e-cigarettes into Thailand as stated in B.E. 2557 (2014) and the Customs Department’s announcement No. 185/2564 (2021).
The Customs Department is set to conduct a formal valuation of the seized goods to assist in the prosecution process. Concurrently, the Department of Special Investigation is intensifying its investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators, users, and supporters involved in the smuggling operation. The agencies are committed to employing all relevant laws and special measures to effectively curb the e-cigarette smuggling issue, ensuring substantial and tangible outcomes.