The Excise Department has warned King Power Group to stick to the rules limiting the purchase of cigarettes and alcohol for travelers entering the country. A department source said the agency was worried about violations of the regulation as it had found that foreigners entering Thailand and also Thai citizens returning from overseas trips were allowed to buy cigarettes and alcohol beyond the limit, despite warnings to duty-free shops.

The duty-free shops at Suvarnabhumi airport are run by King Power.

Thailand allows people entering the country to buy only 10 packs of cigarettes and no more than one liter of alcohol.

The source said the department will put up signs at shop check-outs to warn staff and visitors about the restriction and was considering fining violators. Those who break the rule would be taxed and fined up to twice the tax amount.

King Power chairman and chief executive officer, Vichai Raksriaksorn, said he was surprised by the warning and denied his firm was breaking the regulation.

He said staff had been ordered to stick to the rules or they could be fired.