Vaping in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand help!

[beedee]

I have a trip planned in November where we fly into Singapore, spend four days, then go by rail for a week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ending up a week in Bangkok Thailand (again by rail). 

I'm planning my vaping right now, but looking like I may need to go back on the ciggies a while if I feel the urge - here's a rundown of what I can gather so far on the legalities:

Singapore - Vaping equipment and e-liquid completely illegal - used to be just import and sale, so this did not apply if gear was left in transit at the airport, but apparently this stopped Feb 2018

Malaysia - Fully legal - but not if containing nicotine 

Thailand - It seems the law is unclear - there is a ban on selling and importing e-gig equipment or juice, but some say it's OK if for personal use.

My plan is to split two mods and tanks up into component parts and put them (without batteries) into checked luggage - 18650 batteries will come into hand luggage - then I'll have something to play with in Malaysia, but I wont risk using them in Singapore. I may take a pod to use in hotel room.

The last time I went to Thailand was November 2016 - there seemed to be no problem with discreet vaping (i.e. not in public) and there were several places selling vaping equipment. I wonder if anything has changed since then.

If anyone has any recent experiences in, or knowledge about, these countries please do post!

Thanks!

[Postmodern Smoking]

This was posted not that long ago, which isn't very good:

allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/67903/vaper-arrested-thailand

[Perpetua]

ghostrider1971's input would also be good as he travels to Thailand on a regular basis. . .  . .

[Postmodern Smoking]

Oct 14, 2018 13:30:45 GMT Perpetua said:

ghostrider1971 's input would also be good as he travels to Thailand on a regular basis. . .  . .

You mean the Philippines, I think. 

[ghostrider1971]

I'm one for the Philippines - I have read stuff online about the Pines recently - people having vaping stuff confiscated at the airport and being given hefty fines or jail sentences - although Mrs Ghostrider says that is bolero (BS).

I've read a fair bit about Thailand and vaping and it seemed pretty hairy to me - police fines and problems bringing stuff in. Whether this is bent coppers looking for a hand out (perish the thought....) or actually government policy I don't know.....but from what I've read I would exercise extreme caution....

Although it could be all BS like the Philippines.....

[Perpetua]

Oct 14, 2018 14:08:37 GMT Postmodern Smoking said:

Oct 14, 2018 13:30:45 GMT Perpetua said:

ghostrider1971 's input would also be good as he travels to Thailand on a regular basis. . .  . .

You mean the Philippines, I think. 

My geography never was up to much!

[GunJack]

State-owned tobacco in Thailand, yes they've been jailing vapers in the last 6 months or so, so be very, VERY careful

[buckowski]

I quit the vapes in January as I had my annual summer holiday to Thailand and I didn’t want to risk the fine if caught. I ended up back on the cigs while over there, I didn’t have loads as they are awful lol. Back on the Vapes now and won’t be going back to Thailand while this law remains a thing.

The crazy thing is it isn’t even written in their laws, they’ve conveniently grouped it under an old taxation law. I’d estimate it’s making them that much money as it is now(both in cigarette sales and bribes), so common sense is out of the question.

I did see plenty of Thai people vaping, including the local police.
The fines/bribes come in around £750 plus, depending on who catches you. Refuse to pay and get threatened with jail time...some place!
Just not worth the hassle.

[DaveJ]

++ Strikes Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand from my personal list of places I'd like to go and see.

[beedee]

Thanks all, sad really as Thailand is one of my favourite places - but there are bad things going on there since the old king died, the army chucked out the elected government it effectively became a police state.

If I need to I can always go back on the cigs a while...