No smoking in Thailand – A hard to believe fact

In Thailand, where about 17% of the nationals; that is 65 million people are smokers who consume 110 million cigarettes daily, a complete ban on smoking especially in Thailand’s nightlife entertainment centres has come as a pleasant surprise to all the non smokers who, till now had to suffer breathing problems inhaling secondary smoke.

With effect from February 11, 2008, all air conditioned bars, pubs, discotheques and clubs are covered by the regulation. Owners of open air eating places and markets will also have to mark out smoking and no-smoking areas. Care will be taken that smokers only use the designated areas to puff the smoke. Individual violators can be fined as much as 2,000 baht (US$65). If any public places violate the rules, they will be fined 20,000 baht as well.

For all those of you who feel that smoking is your way of busting stress, take heed when traveling to Thailand. Make sure you recognize the smoking zones which are clearly marked in English, Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese and not end up paying heavily for this addiction.