Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will implement a new smoking ban on 20 of the country’s beaches on 1 February 2018. The new law is said to combat the disposal of cigarette butts on Thailand’s beaches.

Beaches listed under the ban are:

• Patong on Phuket,
• Bo Phuton Ko Samui
• Phra Aeand Khlong Dao on Ko Lanta
• Bang Saenand Pattaya in Chonburi
• Tam Pangon Ko Si Chang
• Hua Hinand Khao Takiap in Prachuap Khiri Khan
• Cha-am in Phetchaburi
• Ko Khai Nok in Phang-nga
• Ko Khai Naion Ko Yao
• Chalatas in Songkhla
• Tha Wa Sukri in Pattani
• Mae Phim in Rayong
• Laem Sing in Chanthaburi
• Sai Ri in Chumphon

Once in effect, anyone smoking on the beaches could be fined up to 100,000 THB, sentenced up to a year in prison or both. If this ban is successful in combating waste in the initial destinations, the ban might be expanded to all beaches in Thailand.

Those who smoke will still be able to do so within designated public smoking areas inland from the beach.