Omani travellers to Thailand told to take note of smoking ban

The Oman Embassy in Bangkok issued a statement that the Thai authorities have announced a ban on smoking on the shores of the country starting in November. "There will be a fine of up to $3,000 and imprisonment for up to one year for violators," the said statement.

Thailand is imposing a smoking ban on some 20 popular beaches across the country as part of the country’s sustainable tourism drive. The ban comes into effect in November 2017.

These beaches are in the provinces of Phuket (Patong); Surat Thani (Bo Phut on Ko Samui); Krabi (Phra Ae and Khlong Dao on Ko Lanta); Chon Buri (Bang Saen and Pattaya as well as Tam Pang on Ko Si Chang); Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Khao Takiap); Phetchaburi (Cha-am); Phang-nga (Ko Khai Nok and Ko Khai Nai on Ko Yao); Songkhla (Chalatas); Pattani (Tha Wa Sukri); Rayong (Mae Phim); Chanthaburi (Laem Sing), and Chumphon (Sai Ri).

Thailand's The move follows a recent survey of litter on Patong beach, Phuket  visited frequently by foreign tourists each year – which found an average of 0.76 cigarette butts per square metre in a sample area, which would amount to 101,058 butts on the 2.5km-long stretch of sand.

The survey was undertaken by the country’s department of marine and coastal resources, which described it as a serious problem. Discarded cigarette butts accounted for a third of rubbish collected by the department.