Travellers Beware: Complete Duty-free Ban

[peter991]

Travellers beware: complete duty-free ban for onward flights in Thailand

Under the new security restrictions for liquids, gels and aerosols (LAG), many Aussie travellers have been forced to surrender their duty free goods while connecting to another flight from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.

According to a report by The Nation, Thailand’s duty-free giant King Power has lost more than 150 million baht in sales of alcohol and perfume since airlines have introduced the ban to carry liquids onboard in line with international regulations.

THAI Airways’ Marketing Executive, Kevin Fisher told e-Travel Blackboard that passengers travelling in transit through Thailand should refrain from purchasing duty free items. Rather, duty free items should only be purchased on the final leg of their journey.

While staff selling duty free items onboard THAI and at duty-free stores try their best to inform passengers of the ban, some passengers still assume it is okay to purchase goods if they are transferring through Thailand – only to be caught out when they get to the boarding gate.

For travellers who insist on purchasing duty free in Australia, THAI advises on its website that passengers should keep their purchases in a tamper-proof plastic bag with satisfactory proof of purchase (on the same day as the fight departure) displayed on the front.

But to be safe, Fisher recommends that travellers should make duty-free purchases on their way back to Australia or pick-up the purchases on their arrival at the airport.

According to Airports of Thailand board member, Chirmsak Pinthong, airports could be introducing a new system where passengers who buy liquid products from duty-free stores are issued with special seals and certificates that allow the purchases to be taken onboard.

However, until then, travellers should be wary of the ban.

Peter

[Mid]

apologies in advance to any personally effected ,

but , that is funny .

[chinthee]

apologies in advance to any personally effected ,

but , that is funny .

I'm going to board in about 20 minutes and was just checking through my carry on bag to see what contribution I will make to the boys today. Last time I accidently gave up an expensive bottle of Calvin Klein cologne I forgot I had. Oh boy...

[Mid]

Calvin Klein cologne

too much info .................

have a good trip .

[cdnvic]

Is this really to do with security, or the ongoing feud with King Power?

[Jimjim]

The ban on liquids is silly.

[Ulysses G.]

Asia Books has instituted a policy that shops that buy books from them wholesale have to stick to their retail price. King Power at the airport was jacking the books up to THREE TIMES the normal price.

Thank you Asia Books!

[Payboy]

Asia Books has instituted a policy that shops that buy books from them wholesale have to stick to their retail price. King Power at the airport was jacking the books up to THREE TIMES the normal price.

Thank you Asia Books!

i hope this applies to "mark-ups" as much as to their concern about "mark-downs"....

[Humphrey Bear]

Asia Books has instituted a policy that shops that buy books from them wholesale have to stick to their retail price. King Power at the airport was jacking the books up to THREE TIMES the normal price.

Thank you Asia Books!

Yes - flew back to Saudi a couple of weeks ago. Though I had already bought books in Pattaya, I saw that the cover prices in the airport were back to normal, so bought a few more. First time in many years that I have bought anything from King Power.

[expatwannabe]

Last time I accidently gave up an expensive bottle of Calvin Klein cologne I forgot I had.

Bet those customs agents are smelling sweeeet.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Last time I accidently gave up an expensive bottle of Calvin Klein cologne I forgot I had.

Bet those customs agents are smelling sweeeet.

[marcortez]

Easy solutions is: Don't buy ANYTHING from the airport "ripoff" shops!!!!!!

[DDay]

Unless someone can confirm this with an actual experience, I do not believe that this ban is being inforced.

I have personally purchased liquids (yesterday) in the terminal and they are now placed in a sealed plastic bag with specific instructions to not open the bag prior to boarding the plane.

The final luggage inspection at the gate is no problem as long as the bag has not been opened. Whether or not you are in transit does not seem to be an issue.

Anyone have a different experience????????????