The Customs Department has announced it has seized almost 10,000 e-cigarettes and related items nationwide during the Songkran festival.
Twelve people were arrested in connection with the seizure of 9,950 e-cigarettes and related paraphernalia and e-cigarette liquids, according to Panthong Loykulnan, the department spokesman. Apart from the confiscation of the e-cigarettes, 1,321,900 illegally imported cigarettes were also impounded from 62 suspects during the festival, which took place between April 13-16.
The arrests and seizure of the e-cigarettes came as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered a crackdown on the illegal items, which have been made widely available among young people.
The department was also conducting random inspections of warehouses and shops which may be storing or distributing e-cigarettes or related paraphernalia, the spokesman said.