Carrying a Swiss Army Knife while in Thailand?

[lordgrinz]

Is there any issue carrying a typical Swiss Army Knife when in Thailand? I have several, keyring size 58mm versions, but just bought two (medium) 93mm versions, not sure if the 93mm versions would be an issue if carried on person?

 

I carry a Leatherman PS4 squirt on my keychain, not even sure if the blade on that is legal actually.

[Will B Good]

The first thing to remember is the law in Thailand is just a rough guide to be interpreted by the police and courts as they see fit.

 

I would say a penknife is fine......and the fine is only 500B....although on a bad day you might get life....555

 

 

[proton]

Depends whose body they find it sticking out of

[bendejo]

They might be happy to just confiscate it.

 

 

[Thailand]

I always have have one at hand in case I need to remove boy scouts from horses hooves. or something like that!

[Liverpool Lou]

54 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Is there any issue carrying a typical Swiss Army Knife when in Thailand?

Carrying that type of utility knife with a blade less than 3" in length would not normally be any problem if the carrying of it can reasonably be considered "justifiable grounds".  I believe that over 3" is when you may have to have a good explanation.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Liverpool Lou

[Shop mak]

See section 371 in the following link

 

https://library.siam-legal.com/thai-law/criminal-code-misdemeanors-sections-367-374/

 

A newer updated version in Thai language here. Use translate

 

https://lawman.in.th/7117/ปอ-มาตรา-371/

 

Google translate:

 

"Section 371 of the Criminal Code
WRITTEN BY ATTORNEYMAN ON 4 MARCH 2020. POSTED IN CRIMINAL CODE.

Find a lawyer, hire a lawyer about whoever brings weapons into the city, what to do?
           Section 371: Whoever brings weapons into the city village or public road openly or without reasonable cause or take them into a gathering that has been arranged for worship Cheerfulness or anything else Must be punished with a fine not exceeding one thousand baht. and the court shall have the power to order the confiscation of such weapons.
         [Penalty rates amended by Section 6 of the Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 22) B.E. 2015]

Civil Code Section 371

 

[dick turpin]

Can recall the time, many a year ago, when 

as a  regular business traveller purchased a 

full on Swiss Army complete with a four inch

blade the main purpose of which to take care

of cheese and biscuits in my hotel room.

 

But get this, bought it at a dedicated Swiss 

Army knife shop at Frankfurt Airport....wonder

if it is still there. 

[Havefunme]

https://thailandtripexpert.com/can-you-carry-a-knife-in-thailand/

[dingdongrb]

No problem, just make sure it can do everything needed:

 

 

[Srikcir]

My experience going through Thailand Suvarnabhumi airport security to international departures is that the blade 3" length limit for carryon is cumulative. If you have more than one blade in the Swiss Army knife piece, the blade lengths are added, ie., two 3" blades gives 6" - not allowed. In my case the agent mistook a nail file being same length as the 3" knife blade in the piece and not allowed. When I showed the agent the "blade" had no cutting edge and had a filing surface - no problem. 

[Gandtee]

I was stopped and searched and had my Swiss penknife confiscated when entering Phuket airport to see my Granddaughter off about four years ago. I got it back when leaving.

[CecilM]

As far as I can gather from my Thai lawyer friends and google searches, carrying any kind of knife (farm workers excepted) is illegal. 
But you can see many people with knives in their pockets (by the pocket clip showing), and I’ve seen bus boys with swords down their pant legs and others with guns stuck in their belt. 
So, I think you’re OK with a small folding pocket knife. Use it as intended, only when needed, and be mindful of your surroundings. 

Unless your in a tourist trap area where cops might look for targets you should be fine. 

[Skeptic7]

I carry a SA Knife while hiking and traveling. I always be sure to put it in undercarriage "cargo" baggage when flying and retrieve at baggage claim. Never had a problem..not yet anyway. 

[bendejo]

43 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

I carry a SA Knife while hiking and traveling. I always be sure to put it in undercarriage "cargo" baggage when flying and retrieve at baggage claim. Never had a problem..not yet anyway. 

 

I always carry a very basic one.  Forgot to put it in the checked bag when leaving Rio, when the lad at security saw it he got that 'child on Christmas morning' expression and that was that.  He lied about me getting it back when I arrived at my destination.  My guess is it would cost a few day's pay down there.

 

 

Edited November 3, 2023 by bendejo

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, CecilM said:

As far as I can gather from my Thai lawyer friends and google searches, carrying any kind of knife (farm workers excepted) is illegal. 
But you can see many people with knives in their pockets (by the pocket clip showing), and I’ve seen bus boys with swords down their pant legs and others with guns stuck in their belt. 
So, I think you’re OK with a small folding pocket knife. Use it as intended, only when needed, and be mindful of your surroundings. 

Unless your in a tourist trap area where cops might look for targets you should be fine. 

 

Well, these are Swiss Army Knives, so they are mainly tools, with a blade. The blade is one of 7-15 tools on these knives, not like its the main attraction. I wouldn't categorize them as pocket knives, more like multitools. If its a problem legally, I might have to stick to carrying the small 58mm keychain ones I guess, or continue carrying the Leatherman Squirt PS4 (I don't think the knife on that would scare anyone).

[CecilM]

5 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Well, these are Swiss Army Knives, so they are mainly tools, with a blade. The blade is one of 7-15 tools on these knives, not like its the main attraction. I wouldn't categorize them as pocket knives, more like multitools. If its a problem legally, I might have to stick to carrying the small 58mm keychain ones I guess, or continue carrying the Leatherman Squirt PS4 (I don't think the knife on that would scare anyone).

As I understand the law, it applies even to a folding pocket knife. But the chances of sthg small causing a problem are very unlikely. 

[Fairynuff]

I would question why anyone “needs” to be carrying a knife u less it’s for work.

[Sandboxer]

What about having a tactical "Rambo" combat knife in your own vehicle? Not carrying it outside the car, just keeping it inside?

[HarrySeaman]

Thai Police fines Dutch couple for carrying Swiss army knife in car (VIDEO)

 

Personally I have carried a pocket knife since I was about 6 or 7 years old.  I have used my pocket knifes for everything from opening envelopes to making wood shavings for starting a fire to trimming a fingernail to cutting up food.  At 81 I'm not likely to change.

 

If I get stopped by a police officer I will gladly pay the fine but be very unhappy if he confiscates my Case 2.5" tip to hilt locking  blade pocket knife.  Even if he does I'll simply dig out of a drawer the cheap non-locking blade pocket knife I bought from a Beach Road vendor 15 years ago.  I also have a good Swiss Army Knife in the drawer that used to reside in my carry on luggage, and have been offered a bigger one free by a friend but I refused it since I wouldn't use it.

 

 

Edited November 3, 2023 by HarrySeaman

[Iron Tongue]

I've always carried a knife when I travel, and before 9/11, I walked right onto airplanes with them.  I've even carried a Thai e-Nep when trekking the forests without getting a 2nd glance.

Thai laws don't define clearly what a "weapon" is, so police have a lot of discretion when they encounter Farangs with blades.  Just don't be acting like an @ss and you'll probably be allowed to continue carrying one.

Worst case, only carry what you're willing to surrender, and don't argue over a fine if you get one.

 

 

 

 

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, Iron Tongue said:

Thai laws don't define clearly what a "weapon"

 

That's what made me post the question, there doesn't seem to be any detailed info on that part.

[Iron Tongue]

3 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

That's what made me post the question, there doesn't seem to be any detailed info on that part.

I think it's purposely left that way to allow police to have more leeway based-on the circumstances.

In English laws, there's the concept of "intent" which is used to determine whether you are simply carrying a chef knife to go work at a restaurant, or to murder a crazy 'ex'.  

 

[EVENKEEL]

For 20+ years I carried a knife as standard work tool. I still do here in Thailand

[richard_smith237]

Given the replies it’s clear a lot of guys do carry pocket knife’s / utility knives around….   
When I go the the beach etc I take a Swiss-Army (Vitrinox) knife, which can be useful (in the beach bag) but carrying one around on a daily basis seems a little excessive - is it really that useful on a daily basis ? 
 

Regarding the video HarrySeaman posted…

We also claret a knife in the Centre console…

It’s to cut the seat belt in an emergency & break the widow.

 

 

 

[SunsetT]

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

My experience going through Thailand Suvarnabhumi airport security to international departures is that the blade 3" length limit for carryon is cumulative. If you have more than one blade in the Swiss Army knife piece, the blade lengths are added, ie., two 3" blades gives 6" - not allowed. In my case the agent mistook a nail file being same length as the 3" knife blade in the piece and not allowed. When I showed the agent the "blade" had no cutting edge and had a filing surface - no problem. 

I have been carrying one in my daypack/ backpack in Thailand for 17 years and to and from the UK annually. But I always put it in my checked baggage, never in hand luggage to risk confiscation.

[SunsetT]

5 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

carrying one around on a daily basis seems a little excessive - is it really that useful on a daily basis ? 

But you never know when you might need it. Especially for the vital task of opening a bottle of Leo...555.

[lordgrinz]

11 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

but carrying one around on a daily basis seems a little excessive - is it really that useful on a daily basis ? 

 

Isn't that the point of a keychain SAK? It has like 7-15 functions other than just a knife, obviously useful on a daily basis.

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, SunsetT said:

8 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

carrying one around on a daily basis seems a little excessive - is it really that useful on a daily basis ? 

But you never know when you might need it. Especially for the vital task of opening a bottle of Leo...555.

Need a bottle opened ? Ask a Thai…

I’ve never seen such an industrious culture when it comes to opening a beer !!! 

[richard_smith237]

11 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

24 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

but carrying one around on a daily basis seems a little excessive - is it really that useful on a daily basis ? 

 

Isn't that the point of a keychain SAK? It has like 7-15 functions other than just a knife, obviously useful on a daily basis.

 

Thats kind of the point of my question - carrying around extra items..

 

- I carry a very slim wallet & phone.. that’s it.

Adding a knife to that is extra weight & extra bulk in the pockets… 

To cart around my multi-function pen knife on a daily basis vs potential for needing to use it seems slim IMO… I’d probably lose the thing too….