People who flout a smoking ban on 20 beaches across the country to be imposed from Nov 1 face hefty fines and possible time behind bars.
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources said the decision was made after large numbers of cigarette butts were found littering scenic seaside areas, causing waste problems and threatening marine ecology.
The department, which oversee shorelines, does not believe this harsh measure will affect tourism.
It is true some people have begun to raise concerns over the impact of the ban on beach goers, but "I don't think so", department chief Jatuporn Burutphat said yesterday.
"People who go to the beaches want to relax and will be happier if they're not disturbed by smoking."
The law will authorise officials to fine wrongdoers a maximum of 100,000 baht or jail them for up to one year.
State agencies and society at large are aiming for a smoke-free atmosphere, he said, adding the Disease Control Department was the first to call him yesterday to make an appointment to further discuss the ban.
Recently, Phuket Marine Biological Centre surveyed Patong beach, which stretches 2.5 kilometres, and found nearly 140,000 cigarette butts in one day.
The beaches on which visitors are banned from smoking are Patong in Phuket; Mae Pim in Rayong; Laem Sing in Chanthaburi; Pattaya, Bang Saen, Jom Tien and Tham Pang in Chon Buri; Cha-am in Phetchaburi; Hua Hin and Khao Takiab in Prachuap Khiri Khan; Bo Phut on Koh Samui; Sai Ree in Chumphon; Koh Khai Nok and Koh Khai Nai in Phangnga; Samila and Chalatat in Songkhla; Phra Aae, Klong Dao and Kor Kwang on Krabi's Koh Lanta, and Tha Wasukri in Pattani.
Cigarette butts and plastic materials make up the largest portion of rubbish on beaches and in the sea, Mr Jatuporn said.
The waste is harmful to the marine environment, Mr Jatuporn said, adding that cigarette butts contain various toxins that cannot be easily be disposed of. The best way to deal with them is to avoid discarding them on beaches, he said.
The department will not completely ban smokers, but they have to smoke at special locations and put their cigarette butts into bins. "There will be no more pictures of people smoking while strolling along a beach," Mr Jatuporn said.
Asked whether Pattaya in Chon Buri is prepared for the ban, Mr Jatuporn said "most people" at Jomtien beach agree with his department's move. This initial response is satisfactory, he said.
Some smokers may argue they need to smoke to relieve their stress, but they have to be more aware that "smoking also causes stress for others too", the department chief said.
In fact, Mr Jatuporn said, the real worry comes from comments from some health and environment advocates who have raised concerns over whether the department will actually crack down on violators and whether the ban will last. "This is a very important job for our department," he insisted.
Mr Jatuporn said there is also is a proposal to set up a special anti-smoking unit for beaches to catch smoking ban violators.
.png?w=600)
