Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has directed government agencies to set up designated smoking areas in Thai airports, aligning with international norms and responding to concerns raised by foreign tourists, said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub on Tuesday.
In a The Nation report, Jirayu stated that the prime minister informed the Cabinet that many international visitors were dissatisfied with the total smoking ban in Thai airports. They requested designated smoking zones, similar to those in many other countries.
Acknowledging Thailand’s role as a key aviation and tourism hub in the region, Paetongtarn emphasized the need for convenience and global consistency. She proposed installing properly ventilated smoking areas within airport premises.
Despite this move, the prime minister insisted that such zones must not pose health risks to non-smokers. She also noted that current regulations banning smoking in airports may need to be reviewed and possibly revised.
Jirayu added that the prime minister has issued the following directives; One, the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Transport, Airports of Thailand (AoT), and the Department of Airports must collaborate to set up smoking areas that are safe for non-smokers and compliant with the law. Second, relevant government bodies, led by the Ministry of Public Health, must assess and update existing laws to allow for smoking in these designated spaces within airports.