South African reality TV star and businesswoman Faith Nketsi has been arrested in Thailand after allegedly vaping in public, an offence that carries severe penalties under Thai law. Photo credit: @faithnketsi via Instagram
South African reality TV star and businesswoman Faith Nketsi has been arrested while on vacation in Thailand after allegedly smoking a vape in public, a practice that is strictly prohibited under Thai law and carries severe penalties including potential imprisonment.
South African reality TV star, businesswoman and social media influencer Faith Nketsi has been arrested in Thailand after allegedly vaping in public. The incident occurred while Nketsi was on vacation in the Southeast Asian country. The arrest has sent social media into a frenzy, with South Africans expressing a mixture of concern and shock at the news.
Nketsi had not issued a public statement regarding the arrest at the time of publication. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as more information becomes available.
Why Vaping Is Illegal in Thailand
Thailand has some of the strictest anti-vaping laws in the world. The import, export and sale of e-cigarettes and vaping devices has been banned in Thailand since 2014 under the Customs Act and the Non-Smokers’ Health Protection Act. The possession or use of a vaping device in a public space in Thailand is a criminal offence that carries penalties including fines and potential imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Thailand’s authorities have consistently enforced these laws against tourists and foreign nationals who are unaware of or choose to ignore the prohibition. The Thai government has made it clear that ignorance of the law is not an accepted defence, and foreign nationals who violate the vaping ban have faced arrest, detention and deportation.
Several foreign tourists have previously been arrested in Thailand for vaping in public spaces, drawing international attention to the severity of the country’s laws on the matter. Travel advisories from multiple countries, including South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, have repeatedly warned South African travellers to familiarise themselves with local laws before travelling abroad, particularly to countries with strict regulations around activities that may be legal or widely accepted at home.
Who Is Faith Nketsi
Faith Nketsi, known widely as the Queen of Twerk, is one of South Africa’s most prominent social media influencers and reality TV personalities. Born on 30 December 1994 in Johannesburg, Nketsi rose to prominence as a member of the female dance crew Pro-Twerkers before building a significant solo following across Instagram, X and other platforms. She currently commands more than three million followers on Instagram alone.
Nketsi is the founder of Fe Beauty, an online cosmetics and skincare brand she launched in 2020. She is also the star of the Showmax reality series Have Faith, which follows her personal life and business ventures. The most recent season of the show addressed her separation from estranged husband Nzuzo Njilo, who has faced his own legal difficulties in South Africa.
Nketsi has previously positioned herself as a businesswoman and lifestyle influencer, frequently documenting international travel and luxury experiences for her large and engaged following. Her arrest in Thailand represents a significant and unexpected development for one of South Africa’s most followed public figures.
What Happens Next
The full legal consequences Faith Nketsi faces in Thailand will depend on how Thai authorities choose to proceed with the matter. Foreign nationals arrested for vaping in Thailand have in previous cases faced options including the payment of fines, detention pending deportation or in more serious cases formal prosecution under Thai law.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation had not issued a formal statement on the matter at the time of publication. Mzansi Today Live will continue to follow this developing story and publish updates as they become available.
Editors Note Details surrounding Faith Nketsi’s arrest in Thailand are limited at the time of publication. This is a developing story based on social media reports. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as official confirmation and further details become available. Faith Nketsi is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.