In recent weeks, arrests and seizures of vaping products have been multiply in Thailand. In many countries, there is some concern and some travel agencies no longer hesitate to give guidelines to people wishing to go there. If currently we have an outside vision on the vaping situation in Thailand, for you, our editorial staff spoke with Julien, an expatriate who presented us his experience of vaping in the heart of the land of smiles.
INTERVIEW: « AS A VAPOR, I FEEL LIKE A DRUG«
Copy writing : Can you tell me what is the real situation in Thailand regarding vaping ? Is there a witch hunt ?
Julien : No, it's very exaggerated, I don't think we can talk about a witch hunt. I am a vaper, I have three neighbors who are also and we have not had a problem for the moment. Obviously with all that is currently being said I do not use my e-cigarette in the street as I could with a cigarette for example.
Copy writing : Okay, so we can say that by remaining discreet we strongly limit the risks with the authorities ?
Julien : Yes clearly. For my part, I vape in places near my home or in some very touristy places. You should know that in Thailand, when there are no police officers, it vapes everywhere and on large equipment (mechanical mods, drippers ...). But it is true that as a vaper, I feel stared, considered a drug addict if I vape in a bar for example. I therefore avoid putting my equipment on a table when I am in public.
Yet it is quite paradoxical because there are a lot of places where you can buy equipment.
Copy writing : What do you think of what happened with the Swiss vaper a few days ago ?
Julien : Unfortunately, I think he ran into the wrong cop, you know I even saw cops vaping so that's to say. After that I shouldn't say that too much, but here things often get better with a little note. For example, a lack of a driver's license whether car or motorcycle (even large cubes) is 25 euros.
Copy writing : What advice could you give to the vapers who wish to go on the spot? ?
Julien : In all honesty, a tourist who dismantles all his equipment in spare parts in his bag and who remains discreet can vape here. When I left to come and live in this country I was totally paranoid! To tell you, I brought more than a liter of neutral base in bottles of water, my aromas in Yves Rocher bottles, I planned the coup to last 9 months until my return. On the other hand it is clear that here it does not laugh, it is often not seen, not taken! The really important thing is not to smoke in the street!
Copy writing : We still remain in a rather extreme approach ... A bit as if we were passing drugs no ?
Julien : It is indeed how I feel, I am fairly peaceful in the neighborhood where I live but I always have the impression of being an outlaw or a drug addict, a bit like smoking a joint.
Copy writing : And regarding the communication on vaping in the country, have there been any changes lately? ?
Julien : No, no change! Here, vaping is not prohibited, the e-cigarette is just not regulated and therefore not taxed and it is therefore something very serious with regard to the law. To be honest, I'm chomping at the bit because if the law changes, I would be the first farang (foreigner in Thailand) to open my shop.
Copy writing : And you feel that the law could change on the subject ?
Julien : In view of the instability of the country, I think that currently this will not change. For the moment, the authorities are mainly dealing with the problem of counterfeit clothes and shoes, it is a big project. But as the Thai say, nothing is impossible! When you walk around here, you see vape shops or kiosks everywhere.
Copy writing : It is assumed that a tourist should avoid approaching it in view of the situation ?
Julien : I spoke with these vendors and saw lots of tourists buying equipment. For my part, I never bought anything because the price is exorbitant. Let's say these "shops" are lucky at the moment that they have enough money to not have any problems, I couldn't tell you.
Thank you Julien for taking the time to answer us and for shedding light on the situation through your experience there.
