The new smoking ban in Thailand bars and restaurants is in effect. From what I have observed, the law is being treated like any other law in Thailand. What I mean is, some establishments have already set up smoking areas, others say you have to smoke outside the restaurant or bar, and others are ignoring the law altogether.

The reason for ignoring the ban could be that it will not be enforced for a couple of months. Instead of stiff fines being issued, there will be warnings and education until the end of May last year. But, then, the fines will be steep. If enforced, smokers can be fined 2,000 Baht while venue owners will be fined up to 20,000 Baht.

This will force the bar and restaurant owners to enforce the law on their property. If the ban just penalised smokers, the establishment owners would completely ignore it. This is nothing new. Thailand has banned smoking in hospitals, government buildings and train stations for a few years now. This is just an extension of an already existing law.

Recent update about this subject, a law prohibiting smoking at home will come into effect on Aug last month, in a bid to reduce deaths caused by second-hand smoke. Smokers will be given 90 days to refrain from the habit, which puts relatives living under the same roof at serious health risk, according to the 2019 Family Development and Protection Act announced in the Royal Gazette.

Those who dare to violate the law can be tried in either the juvenile or criminal courts. While no penalty has been fixed yet, the court can order violators to stop smoking in the house and/or undertake a course to quit smoking. It is not clear how the law will be enforced.

Based on data from the Ministry of Public Health, a total of 54,512 people died from diseases caused by smoking in 2018. Major tourist areas such as Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket will definitely respond on this matter, or at least feel the impact on the tourism side. I would guess that starting next month, there will be a crackdown to show people that the government is serious about the ban.

So, if you are planning to visit the Land of Smiles, and you smoke cigarettes, make sure to ask if it is ‘OK’ to smoke before you light up. Otherwise, you may have to pay dearly.