The Thai Customs Department, in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Laem Chabang Police Station, and Provincial Police Region 2, has seized over 64,000 e-cigarette devices and accessories worth 12.62 million baht at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi Province.

This operation is part of the government's ongoing crackdown on the illegal import and sale of e-cigarettes, particularly in areas near schools and educational institutions.

Authorities conducted an inspection of eight abandoned shipping containers at the port and found e-cigarettes hidden among other goods. The confiscated items included more than 51,000 disposable e-cigarettes worth 9.25 million baht, 2,300 e-cigarette devices valued at 2.15 million baht, 2,350 accessories worth 117,500 baht, and 7,350 e-liquid pods with an estimated value of 1.1 million baht. These products are banned imports under the 2017 Customs Act and the Ministry of Commerce's 2014 regulation, which prohibits the importation of baraku, electronic hookahs, and e-cigarettes.

Theeraj Athanavanich, Director-General of the Customs Department, stated that authorities will step up enforcement and revise regulations to introduce harsher penalties for the illegal importation of e-cigarettes.

Looking ahead, additional measures will include improved risk management strategies, better data sharing, and closer collaboration between government agencies and private sector stakeholders to curb further illicit trade.