Bangkok: Santi Piyatat, the newly appointed Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, paid respects to sacred objects at Government House upon assuming his new role. He refrained from commenting on measures to combat e-cigarettes, indicating that he would wait for the policy statement before making any announcements. Reporters observed that at 7:42 a.m., Mr. Santi arrived at Government House to carry out the traditional homage rituals. He first paid respects to Phra Phrom at the Thai Khu Fa building, followed by homage to the spirit house and the shrines of the Grandfather and Grandmother at the Government House.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Santi addressed the issue of e-cigarettes, emphasizing the need for a policy announcement before any implementation. As the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) falls under his supervision, he stated that his team is preparing to expedite the necessary measures post-announcement. Acknowledging the ongoing challenges posed by e-cigarettes, Mr. Santi stressed the importance of a clear policy directive. When questioned about any potential plans to push for the legalization of e-cigarettes, he reiterated his stance to wait for the policy announcement expected later today.

Mr. Santi urged patience from all parties, emphasizing the importance of the forthcoming policy statement as a guiding framework for any future actions related to e-cigarettes.