BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai Customs Department has destroyed over 95 million seized illicit cigarettes and e-cigarettes from finalized legal cases, estimated to have caused 676 million baht in economic damage. The destruction took place at Akkhie Prakarn Pcl’s facility in the Bangpoo Industrial Estate, Samut Prakan province. Phanthong Loykulnand, Director-General of the Customs Department, alongside officials from the Central Investigation Bureau and the Department of Industrial Works, announced the joint enforcement results.
Officials noted that e-cigarette trafficking networks have altered product designs to target youth, shaping devices into colorful cartoon characters and toys to attract younger buyers. Authorities have increased interception efforts across borders, seaports, and postal systems. The seized goods were incinerated using closed-system international standards to prevent environmental impact. The Customs Department reiterated that e-cigarettes remain strictly prohibited from import and sale in Thailand, adding that it will continue to elevate suppression efforts with all sectors to protect youth from illegal products. (TNA)
