Shisha in Thailand
One craze that really took off in Thailand at all the tourist hot spots is “shisha” which is also known as “hookah”. The scent of lollipop flavored smoke can be smelled at many bars and restaurants in places such as Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Chiang Mai etc and it is a pleasant change to smell this scent rather than plain old cigarette smoke.
Shisha is nothing new and has been around for hundreds of years in the Middle East but the popularity of it is slowly spreading throughout Asia and the western world and young people can be seen sitting around smoking shisha and having a drink at many bars in Thailand. Many bars that have shisha have lounge chairs and outdoor areas so people can kick back and relax whilst having a smoke. Places such as Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have many outdoor bars located on the beaches with outdoor lounge chairs and mats to lay on the beach with so people can relax and unwind whilst having a smoke.
What is Shisha – Shisha Bars Are Common In Pattaya
OK, so what exactly is shisha, it’s a water pipe that is used to vaporize flavored tobacco. The smoke passes through water in the base of the pipe before it gets inhaled by the user. The tobacco is burned at a lower temperature than cigarette smoke so less smoke and toxins are released but a typical sisha session can last for more than an hour which is the equivalent to smoking more than cigarettes.
Bad News for Shisha Users -Smoking Shisha In Thailand
After stopping the sale of electronic cigarettes, Thai officials will begin a crackdown on the sale of shisha in Thailand the illegally imported, yet widely smoked tobacco. This was after the incumbent Prime Minister and Coup Chief General Prayuth Chan -Ocha expressed concern about its popularity among the youth in Thailand.
Public shisha cafes, which have spread in recent years as its popularity has grown in Pattaya, could have their business licenses revoked. Inspections of venues selling shisha will be made throughout the Kingdom, especially of cafes near universities, according to Somchai Pulsawas, Director General of the Excise Department. He added the sale and import of shisha is strictly prohibited in Thailand, and authorities are allowed to confiscate any flavored tobacco and smoking equipment sold publicly. If the goods are found at entertainment complexes, the owners will be prosecuted and their businesses could be shut down.
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