BANGKOK: Smokers who flout a smoking ban on 20 of Thailand’s most famous tourist beaches will face a $3,000 fine or up to a year in prison, Thai authorities have said.
The ban, which comes into force in November, follows a clean-up of nearly 140,000 cigarette butts from a 2.5 kilometer (1.5 mile) stretch of the famed Patong beach in Phuket island province.
Its introduction coincides with Thailand’s peak tourist season and will be enforced in visitor hotspots including Krabi, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Phuket and Phang Nga.
“These beaches are among the most beautiful in Southeast Asia, and the aim is to keep them that way,” Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said in a statement on Monday.
Smokers will have to use designated areas with proper waste disposal for cigarette butts, he added.
Those caught lighting up on the beach could face jail or a 100,000 baht ($3,000) fine, according to TAT.
The edict is the latest effort to rein in Thailand’s free-wheeling tourism industry.
The sector is a crucial pillar of Thailand’s economy, catering to more than 30 million travelers per year.
But the huge numbers of arrivals have also threatened to spoil some of the kingdom’s idyllic beaches, with litter and unchecked development damaging local ecosystems.
Thailand is also trying to crack down on lax safety standards that riddle the tourism industry, after waves of complaints that visitors are overcharged or not adequately protected on boats and jet-skis.
Smoking to be stubbed out on Thai beaches
Smoking to be stubbed out on Thai beaches
Saudi Culinary Arts Commission invites world to experience Saudi hospitality at SIGEP World Expo 2026
- Culinary Arts Commission is spotlighting authentic Saudi hospitality, delicacies
- Visitors can engage with Saudi businesses and producers, explore cultural connections
RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, under the Ministry of Culture, has brought authentic and innovative Saudi hospitality to SIGEP World Expo 2026 in Rimini, Italy, this week.
At the exhibition, the Taste of Saudi Culture Pavilion is showcasing the Kingdom’s hospitality through businesses that bring the very best local produce to the international stage.
Mayada Badr, CEO of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, said in a press statement: “Hospitality and cuisine are among the most engaging expressions of Saudi culture. SIGEP World Expo provides a global platform to share that spirit of Saudi hospitality and creativity with international audiences.”
The event brings together industry leaders from around the world. Guests can experience local Saudi traditions and engage with businesses over coffee and dates, exploring new opportunities to collaborate and grow.
At the heart of the Taste of Saudi Culture Pavilion is a traditional Saudi majlis offering international visitors an authentic setting where Saudi hospitality comes to life.
Visitors are welcomed with five varieties of Saudi coffee and dates, sampling the Kingdom’s diverse offerings.
Saudi Arabia produces more than 1.9 million tonnes of dates annually and offers more than 300 varieties. While central to Saudi culture, the value of its date exports exceeds SR1.6 billion ($426 million), with a global reach of more than 130 countries.
The Saudi-Italy partnership will be further advanced through workshops where visitors can pair the distinctive flavors of Italian cheeses with Saudi dates.
Dedicated booths at the Taste of Saudi Culture Pavilion are also showcasing local produce from participating Saudi companies, offering a platform to engage with industry professionals and an opportunity to market products to a global audience.
The Taste of Saudi Culture Pavilion is open to visitors throughout the five-day exhibition from Jan. 16-20 in Rimini, Italy.
