Thailand Vape Law: Import Ban, Up to 10 Years
Yes. E-cigarettes are banned imports in Thailand under a Commerce Ministry notice in force since 27 December 2014. Importing one carries up to 10 years in prison. Holding or buying one you know is a banned import carries up to 5 years. Vaping in a smoke-free zone carries a fine of up to THB 5,000.
Leave your vape at home: e-cigarettes are banned imports in Thailand, and what you risk depends on what you do with the device, since each act sits in a different law.
| Act | Law | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Bring in a vape | Customs Act section 242 | Up to 10 years in prison, a fine of 4 times the value including duty, or both |
| Bring in a vape while evading the ban | Customs Act section 244 | Up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to THB 500,000, or both |
| Hide, buy or receive a banned import you know about | Customs Act section 246 | Up to 5 years in prison, a fine of 4 times the value or up to THB 500,000, or both |
| Vape in a smoke-free zone | Tobacco Products Control Act sections 42 and 67 | A fine of up to THB 5,000 |
| Sell or supply a vape | Consumer Protection Act section 56/4 | Up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to THB 600,000, or both |
Bringing one in
The ban comes from a Commerce Ministry notice, in force since 27 December 2014. It defines an e-cigarette as an electric device that makes vapour like cigarette smoke and is used in the same way as smoking. Liquids and substances that feed the vapour are banned imports too when they arrive with the device.
ให้บารากู่และบารากู่ไฟฟ้าหรือบุหรี่ไฟฟ้าเป็นสินค้าห้ามนําเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักร
Hookahs, electric hookahs and e-cigarettes are goods prohibited from import into the Kingdom.
Commerce Ministry notice on hookahs and e-cigarettes B.E. 2557, article 4, Royal Gazette 26 December 2014 (editor’s translation)
A traveller who brings one in faces up to 10 years in prison under section 242 or section 244 of the Customs Act. Section 242 covers goods that have not passed Customs formalities, and the goods are forfeited. Section 244 covers goods brought through Customs while evading a restriction or prohibition, and the court may forfeit the goods.
Forfeiture reaches more than the device: packages, containers and other things used or kept to move or hide prohibited goods are forfeited in full, whether or not anyone is convicted.
Owning or buying one
Section 246 of the Customs Act sets up to 5 years in prison for hiding, selling on, buying or receiving goods you should know are tied to an import offence. Customs applies this to e-cigarettes: helping hide, buying, receiving or holding one you know to be a banned import is an offence. If you already own one, leaving it at home removes the exposure.
Vaping in public
Vapour from a nicotine product counts as smoking, and smoking in a smoke-free zone carries a fine of up to THB 5,000. The one exception is a smoking zone set under section 41 paragraph 2.
Selling vapes
Selling or supplying e-cigarettes and refills, and making them to sell, is banned under a Consumer Safety Committee order dated 8 July 2024. Ignoring a Safety Committee order under section 29/8 or 29/9 paragraph 2 carries up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to THB 600,000, or both. That penalty is aimed at the business that sells.
Not confirmed: Reported plans to amend the Tobacco Products Control Act and the Customs Act are not enacted in any text found, so check before you travel. The texts do not say which section applies to one device in a traveller's bag.
Common questions
Is it illegal to bring a vape into Thailand?
Yes. E-cigarettes are goods prohibited from import under the Commerce Ministry notice, in force since 27 December 2014.
What is the maximum penalty for importing a vape?
Up to 10 years in prison under Customs Act section 242 or section 244. Section 242 also allows a fine of 4 times the value, and section 244 a fine of up to THB 500,000.
Is it illegal to carry or hold a vape?
Holding, hiding, buying or receiving an e-cigarette you know to be a banned import is an offence. Customs Act section 246 sets up to 5 years in prison.
Is it illegal to vape in public?
Vapour from a nicotine product counts as smoking. Smoking in a smoke-free zone is banned, with a fine of up to THB 5,000.
Is it legal to sell vapes in Thailand?
No. Selling or supplying e-cigarettes and refills is banned under a Consumer Safety Committee order dated 8 July 2024.
Read next
Sources and reader comments
Official legal texts (Gazette, government portals):
- Royal Gazette vol. 131 special part 268 Ng, 26 Dec 2014, p. 1: Commerce Ministry notice making hookahs and electric hookahs or e-cigarettes prohibited imports B.E. 2557 (read via Web Archive copy) (opens in a new tab)
- Royal Gazette vol. 134 part 53 Kor, 17 May 2017, pp. 26-: Customs Act B.E. 2560 (copy hosted by the Department of Special Investigation) (opens in a new tab)
- Royal Gazette vol. 134 part 39 Kor, 5 Apr 2017, pp. 27-: Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2560 (read via Web Archive copy) (opens in a new tab)
- Customs Department academic article on e-cigarettes (customs.go.th data file; cites Customs Act B.E. 2560 section 246) (opens in a new tab)
- Office of the Consumer Protection Board news, 10 Sep 2025: raid on an e-cigarette factory, citing Safety Committee order 24/2567 (opens in a new tab)
General information checked against the sources listed above. Prices, opening hours and other details change; confirm them with the provider before you act. See how guides are checked.
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Comments (2)
Tarzzy86
r/THC and Vape Laws Hey, can I please ask for advice on the whole THC disposal vape thing in Phuket? Going end of March from Sydney and keen to buy a few disposable ones- from what I can read on line it’s illegal to use vapes in Thailand? But I’m just not sure as I get conflicting information so if anyone has any info on it I’d appreciate you. Cheers!
Redditlurkerbot
Just don’t be stupid and vape openly in the streets. Even if you see Thais doing it don’t do it.