泰國各大海灘實行禁菸令 違者將被處以監禁

Thailand is introducing a smoking ban on beaches across the country with those caught violating the law facing up to a year in prison.

泰國正在對該國各地的海灘實施禁菸令，觸犯該法律的人將被處以最高一年的監禁。

The measure will apply to up to 20 beaches in areas including the popular tourist destination of Phuket.

這項措施將會最先在20個海灘實行，其中就包括熱門旅遊地普吉島。

It comes after the country's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) said it had retrieved tens of thousands of cigarette butts left in the sand.

此前，泰國海洋與海岸資源部曾表示，他們處理了成千上萬只被丟在沙灘上的菸頭。

The DMCR said the discarded waste made up a third of all rubbish collected.

海洋與海岸資源部稱，這些丟棄的菸頭佔收集到的垃圾總數的三分之一。

The head of the department, Jatuporn, said that up to 138,000 cigarette butts had been collected by the environmental group over a 2.5km (1.5 miles) stretch of Patong beach in Phuket.

該部部長賈圖龐表示，僅在普吉島芭東海灘一段長2.5公里的沙灘上，環保組織就收集了13.8萬根菸頭。

Mr Jatuporn added that the while smoking will be prohibited on the beaches affected by the measure, there will be "designated areas" further inland where smokers will be able drop their litter "in provided containers".

賈圖龐補充說道，受這項措施的影響，沙灘上將禁止吸菸，不過在內陸將會有“吸菸區域”，吸菸者可以將菸頭扔在“指定的箱子裏”。

The penalty for violating the ban is up to a year in prison or a possible fine of up to 100,000 baht ($3,000).

違者將被處以最高一年監禁或10萬泰銖(約合3000美元)的罰款。