Smoking ban on beaches put into effect

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Feb 2 (TNA) – The smoking ban is put in effect on 24 beaches in 15 provinces on Thursday and smoke areas are also designated for smokers. At Hua Hin beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan, director of marine resource conservation division, Wan Chatree and officials from agencies concerned visited the Hua Hin beach to follow up the implementation of the smoking ban on the beach. Both local people and foreign tourists cooperate well to smoke only at three designated smoke areas on Hua Hin beach. Seats are available with placards, giving information in three languages, Thai, English and Chinese. Mr Wan said most tourists agreed with the measures. It keeps the beach clean from discarded cigarette butts and protects non-smokers from danger of tobacco smoke. Many suggested that more smoking areas should be provided. A violator, smoking outside the designated zones will face a maximum fine of 100,000 baht and/or one year in jail. Violators will be warned first before they take action against them. (TNA)