Smoking will be banned at 20 popular Thai beaches commencing 1 November.
Beaches included in the ban are Mae Phim (Rayong), Laem Sing (Chanthaburi), Pattaya Beach, Bang Saen (Chonburi), Tham Pang (Koh Si Chang, Chonburi), Cha Am (Phetchaburi), Hua Hin Beach, Thao Takiab (Prachuap Khiri Khan), Patong (Phuket), Bo Phut (Koh Samui, Surat Thani), Sai Ri (Chumphon), Chalatas (Songkhla), Tha Wa Sukri (Pattani), Khai Nok and Khai Nai (Koh Yao, Phang Nga), Phrae and Khlong Dao (Koh Lanta Yai, Krabi).
Violators could face a maximum penalty of a year in prison and/or a fine of 100,000 baht (around US$ 3,000).
Authorities took the action to keep beaches clean. Presently, popular beaches are littered with cigarette butts, according to the chief of the country’s marine and coastal resources agency. A recent examination carried out by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources’ Phuket Marine Biological Centre on Patong found an average 0.76 butts per square metre. In addition to being unsightly, discarded cigarettes are said to clog drains.