Thai hoteliers on smoking ban

The new ban on smoking in Thailand’s bars, pubs and nightclubs has been played down by Thai hoteliers.

General manager of Bangkok’s Siam Design Hotel and Spa, Sanya Saengboon, said that the hotel’s food and beverage restaurants and cafes were already smoke-free and separate smoking areas had been set up for guests who prefer to smoke.

He went on ‘The impact from the new smoking ban will be minimal. There have been no serious complaints about this so far,’ he said.

In Chiang Mai, general manager of Holiday Inn Chiangmai, Alan Watts, said that despite the new law probably not effecting the hotel’s food and beverage outlets, it may create an impact for the other indoor entertainment venues.

The new regulation to ban smoking in air-conditioned entertainment venues by Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is to begin in February. The new ban will also effect the popular Chatuchak outdoor weekend market.

The new regulation is in addition to the Public Health Ministry ministry’s ban on smoking in public areas including in hospitals, train and bus stations, and government buildings, and was imposed four years ago.

Hefty fines will be put into place for violators and venue owners, where violators will be fined 2,000 baht owners of nightclubs, pubs and bars 20,000 baht.