Thailand’s DES minister supports legalisation of e-cigarettes

14 Sept 10:15 Key points summarised by AI

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn advocates for legalising e-cigarettes, citing their status as a 'way of life' in developed countries and widespread illegal availability in Thailand.
He highlights the inconsistency of legal cannabis while e-cigarettes remain banned, creating opportunities for police extortion and corruption.
Legalisation would not only address current enforcement issues but also generate significant tax revenue for the state.
Minister Chaiwut pledges to push for this legislative change if his Palang Pracharath Party forms the next government.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Yesterday 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.