In Thailand ban Smoking on popular tourist beaches
Smoking is restricted to areas 20 of the most popular beaches.
BANGKOK, October 10. /TASS/. Smoking ban for popular beaches of Thailand since the beginning of November plans to enter the local Department of marine and coastal resources. Failure to limit threatens violators with major fines or imprisonment, reported Tuesday the newspaper the Nation.
According to the newspaper, Smoking is restricted to areas 20 of the most popular beaches, including Patong in Phuket, Jomtien resort in Pattaya and Mae PIM in Rayong province. “We’re not going to completely ban Smoking, says the head of the Department Jatupon Burusphat. — A Smoking section will be available outside the territory of the beach. Cannot leave cigarette butts in the sand or walk along the beach with a cigarette”.
The maximum penalty for a violation of this prohibition could be imprisonment for one year or a fine of up to 100 thousand baht (more than $3 million), said Burusphat.
According to The Nation, the initiative of the Department of marine and coastal resources has received the approval of the Minister of natural resources and environmental protection, and discussed with provincial administrations. It is planned to extend the restrictions on all the beaches of Thailand. The reason for the introduction of restrictions is the recent study conducted at Patong beach Phuket. On the 2.5-mile stretch of beach was discovered to 138 thousand cigarette butts.
The staff of the Thai Department of marine and coastal resources has repeatedly demonstrated its determination to preserve the environment and compliance with the relevant prohibitions. So, in February of this year on the island of Racha Yai in the Andaman sea in the South Kingdom was detained 53-year-old Russian from Khakas Chernogorsk. She was charged with violation of rules of conduct in the conservation area: a tourist was feeding the fish bread, despite the warning signs.