Four arrested over alleged e-cigarette sales at Kata and Karon beaches

Four people were arrested over the alleged sale of e-cigarettes around Kata Beach, Karon Beach and nearby areas in Karon Subdistrict, Phuket, officials said. The arrests were reported on 31 August 2026, after complaints that the sales were causing a nuisance to tourists.

The arrests were made at about 12:45pm by a special operations team from the Phuket Provincial Administration. The team was led by assistant provincial defence officers Jiradech Burarak, Thongchai Rattanedech and Panjapong Boonchan, along with members of the Volunteer Defense Corps.

Officials said the four suspects were charged under Section 246, first paragraph, of the Customs Act 2017, in connection with the possession and sale of goods known to be connected with an offence under Section 242. The charge was brought alongside a Ministry of Commerce announcement prohibiting the import of hookahs, electric hookahs and e-cigarettes into Thailand.

The suspects were also charged with selling or offering e-cigarettes for sale in breach of Order No. 24/2024 of the Committee on the Safety of Goods and Services. The offence falls under Section 29/9, paragraph two, and is punishable under Section 56/4 of the Consumer Protection Act 1979, as amended.

Officials prepared records of the case and handed the four suspects and 63 seized e-cigarettes to investigating officers at Karon Police Station for further legal proceedings.