The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) joined forces with police to raid a major e-cigarette sales hub in the Khlong Thom area, seizing over 20,000 items valued at 8 million baht. Supamas vowed decisive action with penalties of 3 years imprisonment and fines of 600,000 baht, moving forward to cut off the supply chain and protect youth.
On 13 August 2026, Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and overseeing the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), held a joint press conference on the crackdown against illegal e-cigarette sales at the Khlong Thom market area. She was joined by Police General Nirandorn Lueamsri, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Center for Prevention and Suppression of Violations Related to E-Cigarettes and Tobacco Products (CPSECT), Mr. Pradermchai Bunchuayluang, Advisor to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, Dr. Patcharin Samsiripong, Secretary to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Ronarong Poonpipat, Secretary-General of the Office of Consumer Protection, Police Colonel Kampol Rattanaprateep, Deputy Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1 acting as an advisor to the OCP Special Operations Center, and Police Colonel Apichet Sapsongserm, Superintendent of Phlapphla Chai Police Station 1. The OCP task force coordinated with Metropolitan Police Division 6 and Phlapphla Chai Police Station 1 to conduct raids on major illegal sales locations.
Officials inspected a total of five targets: four residential and storage units within the Khlong Thom Flat complex and one warehouse used both as living quarters and a distribution point supplying storefronts and online channels. The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of approximately 20,000 items, including e-cigarettes, e-liquids, cartridges, and related equipment, valued at over 8 million baht.
This operation follows the policy of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is concerned about the spread of e-cigarettes among children and youth, and has ordered strict enforcement of laws in line with the Cabinet resolution dated 9 April 2024.
"Prime Minister Anutin often reminds me that e-cigarettes are harming our children. I want to emphasize again that e-cigarettes are illegal products in Thailand and their sale is strictly prohibited. Today, the OCP special task force has proven its seriousness. We do not wait for complaints to respond; instead, we cut off the supply chain from the start, including storage, distribution points, and online channels. Anyone still illegally selling should know you are the next target," said Supamas. , ,
According to the OCP, those who violate the ban on selling e-cigarettes will be punished under the Product and Service Safety Committee Order No. 24/2024, with penalties under Section 56/4 of the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 (1979). Offenders face imprisonment of up to 3 years, fines up to 600,000 baht, or both. The law clearly states that settlement fines cannot be used to dismiss these cases.
Ms. Supamas stated that the OCP special task force is proactively cutting off the supply chain from storage points, distribution centers, and online platforms, with orders to expand investigations to importers and all online networks to eliminate e-cigarettes from Thai society.
, Mr. Ronarong Poonpipat, Secretary-General of the OCP, explained the dangers of e-cigarettes and warned parents to closely monitor their children. He noted that one e-cigarette contains nicotine equivalent to 20 conventional cigarettes. Moreover, its aerosol particles are smaller than PM 2.5 dust, allowing deep lung penetration and making them hard to expel. Smoking e-cigarettes directly introduces carcinogenic chemicals and heavy metals into the body.
The public who witness illegal sales or advertising of e-cigarettes can report tips via the OCP hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect app, or the websitewww.ocpb.go.thor through the Center for Prevention and Suppression of E-Cigarette and Tobacco Product Violations, Royal Thai Police hotline 1599.
Read more news " State Policy " Updates