Bangkok: Cyber police have arrested another suspect in the e-cigarette trade, following a 15-day online operation that has shut down more than 2,000 pages. Pol. Lt. Col. Wiwat Khamchamnarn, deputy commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, highlighted the continuous and strict actions taken by the police. All police units are currently collaborating to enforce the law, including sealing borders, monitoring natural channels, and scrutinizing both hand-to-hand and online sales. The Cyber Police are primarily focused on online activities, and recently, they managed to apprehend a suspect through an online purchase via Facebook and X, platforms known for their anonymity.
According to Thai News Agency, the perpetrator was charged with violating the order of the Product and Service Safety Committee by selling prohibited products such as e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquids. The suspect was also accused of aiding in the concealment, sale, and distribution of goods that had not cleared customs procedures. Between February 26 and March 13, 2025, police units arrested 1,123 cases, involving 1,160 suspects and seizing 577,053 pieces of evidence valued at over 66 million baht.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wiwat further explained that searches for terms like 'cigarettes near me' can lead to police action, with authorities surrounding identified shops and reporting the associated pages. So far, 2,198 pages have been closed. The crackdown aims to decrease the number of new smokers by making it more challenging to access e-cigarettes. The latest reports indicate a shortage of e-cigarettes as law enforcement intensifies efforts to curb the trade.