BACKGROUND: In 2019, Thai Custom officials confiscated cigarettes worth over US$ 300,000. A year later, over US$ 16 million worth of cigarette was confiscated, from a cargo ship en route to Singapore from Vietnam.
At present, electronic cigarettes, which is illegal in Thailand, are easily available through online shipment and distribution, and onsite venders at night markets in Thailand's major cities. Both illegal cigarettes and e-cigs are a major problem for the Thai government. The prevalence of Thai underage youths' using electronic nicotine delivery system, or electronic cigarettes, is increasing every year.
METHODS: This is a qualitative research, by interviewing relevant government agencies' officials.
RESULTS: The study found that in practice, the Excise Department, Ministry of Finance, has made great efforts to improve the form of permits, monitoring system, development of a stamp system according to Article 15 of the FCTC. However, there are several conditions which limit the enforcement such as, how much in the Protocol can it implement, the details of equipment to be reported by tobacco farmers, origin tracking number of tobacco farmers' production, devices to be registered, information related to production plants, raw materials, equipment, etc. All these are considered heavy burden by the Excise Department. Even though a working group consisted of representatives from various government agencies, such as the Custom Department, the Excise Department, etc. has been established to prepare for the Thai government to join the Protocol, but the Excise Department seems to be reluctant.
CONCLUSIONS: In ASEAN region, none has yet participated in the Protocol. This is used as an excused by the Excise Department. As a result of this study, collaborative implementation of tobacco control law on illegal cigarettes and e-cigs, both domestically and internationally, are necessary, but the Excise Department officials are not ready to join.