Bangkok: The government is intensifying its crackdown on the smuggling of illegal cigarettes, e-cigarettes, laughing gas, and ethomidate. Between October 2025 and May 2026, authorities seized contraband worth over 409 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that, in line with the policy of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, strict enforcement of laws against illegal activities is being emphasized. This involves integrated cooperation among relevant agencies to proactively intercept and suppress illegal activities.
The government has formed a collaboration between the Customs Department, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Investigation Bureau of the Royal Thai Police to systematically intercept smuggling networks of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nitrous oxide, and ethomidate. During the fiscal year 2026, authorities seized a substantial amount of illegal goods including 49,064,878 cigarettes valued at over 225 million baht, 548,577 e-cigarettes and related equipment worth over 71 million baht, 140,200 canisters of nitrous oxide valued at over 95 million baht, and 28 kilograms of ethomidate valued at over 18 million baht.
Ms. Ploytalee further revealed that smugglers have adapted their methods to evade stricter inspections. E-cigarette components are being disassembled and falsely declared as general electronic goods, concealed within containers of consumer goods. In April 2016, the Customs Department uncovered 52,000 complete e-cigarette sets and 100 gallons of e-liquid from China, with a value exceeding 6 million baht. Additional seizures included 52,742 e-cigarettes and accessories from postal packages, as well as 21 e-cigarette devices and 165,600 cartridges from Thai passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, valued at over 900,000 baht.
Illegal cigarette smuggling is increasingly occurring through online channels and express postal services. Over 4,000 suspicious packages containing foreign cigarettes were seized recently, originating from southern Thailand. Customs Region 4 confiscated 14,028 cartons of foreign cigarettes without import stamps and proper customs clearance, valued at over 13 million baht.
The smuggling of "ethomidate" is a growing concern due to its impact on social stability. Authorities seized over 28 kilograms from India and investigations are ongoing to apprehend a Thai network mixing this substance into e-cigarette liquid, known as "space oil" or "zombie cigarettes." Additionally, nitrous oxide is being repackaged into smaller canisters, with 135,936 canisters seized between January and April 2016, valued at over 24 million baht.
The government has issued a warning to the public regarding the dangers and legalities related to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and laughing gas. These products contain harmful chemicals, particularly ethomidate, which affects the respiratory system, heart, and brain. Import, possession, or sale of e-cigarettes is strictly prohibited, with violators facing legal penalties. The government urges public cooperation in avoiding these products and reporting any illegal activities to the authorities for legal action.