Thailand cracks down on e-cigarette sales with mass URL purge

Thailand’s war on illegal vapes has gone digital, with government officials shutting down over 9,500 online links linked to the sale and smuggling of e-cigarettes.

Deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan revealed that between March 2024 and March 19, 2025, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry took down 9,515 URLs involved in the illicit vape trade.

“We are using every tool available to wipe out online e-cigarette sales, from social media to dedicated websites.”

The crackdown saw 9,200 X accounts, 235 websites, 28 Facebook accounts, 12 Instagram accounts, and 14 TikTok accounts blocked. In addition, 120 Facebook groups linked to vaping were dismantled.

Officials also identified 285 seller posts and 93 buyer posts through advanced data monitoring, Bangkok Post reported.

Selling e-cigarettes in Thailand is a serious offence under the Consumer Protection Act, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 600,000 baht, or both.

Importers face even harsher consequences, with a minimum ten-year jail term and fines five times the value of the goods. Buyers aren’t off the hook either, risking at least five years behind bars and fines four times the cost of their purchase.

The government is urging the public to report illegal vape sales or smuggling via the ministry’s hotline at 1212 or directly to law enforcement.

With online black markets feeling the heat, the message is clear: Thailand isn’t backing down in its fight against illegal vaping.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday took a firm stance against vaping, despite having previously supported the legalisation of the product during her election campaign, in an interview with The Standard.

The government, under her leadership, initiated operations against e-cigarettes in response to their increasing use, particularly among Thai teenagers and children. This resulted in a series of recent crackdowns on vape vendors and importers across Thailand.

The issue gained further attention after a Member of Parliament (MP) from the People’s Party, Chorayuth “Tonkla” Chaturapornprasit, was seen vaping inside the Parliament building.