Phuket officials deny complicity after Bangla Road vape raid and 10 arrests
Phuket officials have denied claims that government staff helped keep illegal e-cigarettes on sale along Bangla Road, after a late night raid on the strip ended with 10 arrests. The operation began at 9pm on Wednesday, 17 September, and swept through three areas of Patong: the beachfront, Bangla Road itself, and the far end of … The story Phuket officials deny complicity after Bangla Road vape…
Phuket authorities have vehemently denied allegations that their officials assisted in the sale of illegal e-cigarettes along Bangla Road during a recent raid that resulted in the arrest of ten individuals. The operation, which commenced at 9pm on Wednesday, September 17th, targeted three areas of Patong - the beachfront, Bangla Road itself, and the far end of the street near the Jungceylon shopping centre.
Reports indicated that e-cigarettes had been openly available on Bangla Road in violation of Thai law, despite the substance being illegal in Thailand. This particular raid aimed to identify and apprehend not only those selling the e-cigarettes but also the suppliers behind them. Anyone involved in the organization or facilitation of the sales was considered an additional target of the operation.
A total of ten people were apprehended for their alleged roles in the sale and possession of the illegal e-cigarettes. They now face charges under section 246 of the Customs Act, which pertains to concealing or handling goods connected to an offence. This aligns with a recent order from the Ministry of Commerce, which has classified e-cigarettes, hookahs, and electric hookahs as prohibited imports.
Written by urgent.news from The Thaiger's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
