Thailand Blocks Over 9,000 E-Cigarette Sales Websites

Thailand is ramping up its efforts to combat the growing problem of illegal e-cigarette sales, with the government considering the establishment of a special committee to lead the charge. As reported by the Bangkok Post on March 8, 2025, more than 9,000 e-cigarette sales websites have been blocked so far, and the crackdown is set to intensify in the near future.

Government’s Three-Pronged Strategy

On March 8, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jiraporn Sintuprai held a meeting with 20 government agencies to discuss the measures being implemented to tackle the illegal sale of e-cigarettes. The meeting confirmed the progress made since a similar gathering last week and outlined the government’s three-pronged approach to addressing the issue.

The government’s strategy focuses on strengthening the crackdown on illegal e-cigarettes, enhancing preventive measures to curb their spread, and amending relevant laws. Moreover, a proposal has been put forward to create a special committee to oversee these efforts.

Blocking Websites and Monitoring Shipments

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has been leading the fight against illegal e-cigarette sales, having blocked over 9,000 websites to date. The ministry is also working with businesses to prevent related keywords from appearing in search engine results. Additionally, logistics companies are being required to explicitly state that e-cigarette shipments are prohibited, increase the scanning of suspicious packages, and retain sender information for at least 30 days.

Police Raids and Arrests

Data from the Royal Thai Police reveals that between February 26 and March 4, 666 e-cigarette-related raids were conducted, resulting in 690 arrests and the seizure of 454,958 illegal e-cigarette-related items worth 41 million baht.

In a recent operation on March 8, police raided a two-storey house in Nonthaburi province, seizing over 30,000 units of e-cigarettes and e-liquids valued at 3 million baht. The Thai employer who operated the facility has been identified, and investigations are ongoing. The two arrested men stated that they had stored goods for a Bangkok retailer for six months and now face charges under the Customs Act, the Business Registration Act, and the Food and Drug Act.

This raid is believed to be linked to an e-cigarette bust in Bang Khae district on March 1, where 343,600 illegal products worth 30 million baht were confiscated.

Conclusion

As Thailand steps up its efforts to eradicate the illegal sale of e-cigarettes, the government remains committed to exploring all possible avenues to tackle this growing concern. With the proposed establishment of a special committee and the ongoing collaboration between various government agencies, Thailand is demonstrating its resolve to curb the proliferation of illegal e-cigarette sales within its borders.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.