Officials from the Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Region 3 conducted a public awareness campaign at Cha-am Beach on 5 August to promote the Smoke-Free Beach Project and encourage proper cigarette disposal.
Led by Mr. Supachai Ochawat, Director of the Marine Resource Conservation Division, the campaign aimed to educate beachgoers, local vendors, and tourists about regulations prohibiting smoking outside designated areas under Section 17 of the Marine and Coastal Resources Management Promotion Act B.E. 2558 (2015).
The initiative focused on reducing cigarette litter on the beach and improving public understanding of the environmental and health impacts of smoking in shared spaces. Smokers were encouraged to use designated smoking areas set up along the beach.
In addition to promoting the smoking ban, officials provided guidance on basic first aid procedures for jellyfish stings to shop operators and beach chair vendors, as well as members of the public.
Authorities said the campaign was well received and that there was strong cooperation from both local business owners and visitors.
The campaign at Cha-am Beach follows similar activities in Hua Hin. In late June, officials from the same department, working alongside the Marine Protection Volunteer Network and the Hua Hin Fisheries Association, carried out maintenance work at designated smoking zones along Hua Hin Beach. They repaired signs and improved the surrounding landscape while continuing to raise awareness among beach users and vendors.
Thailand first introduced a ban on smoking or discarding cigarette butts on 24 popular beaches in 2018. The regulations, which apply to locations including Cha-am, Hua Hin, Patong, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Pattaya, are enforced to promote environmental protection and public health.
Smokers who violate the ban face penalties of up to 100,000 baht in fines and/or up to one year in prison. While authorities initially focused on warnings, enforcement has become stricter in recent years, particularly in major tourist destinations.
Designated smoking areas remain available at the affected beaches to offer alternatives for smokers, while also helping to reduce litter and exposure to second-hand smoke. Officials say they will continue to monitor compliance and conduct educational outreach to ensure that beach users follow the regulations.