Harassment At Chiangmai International Airport

[pistolpete]

My girlfriend and I were harassed at the Chiangmai Airport back in June of this year. We were planning a nice 12 days vacation from Los Angeles to Chiangmai and Phuket via Thai Airways. Thai offer direct nonstop flight from Lax to Bkk after arriving in Bkk, Chiangmai is only one hour away. After about 20hrs of exhaustion I finally arrived at Chiangmai International Airport.

At Chiang Mai airport, I was approached by two uniforms custom officer asking to check our baggages at the international arrival area. We complied and pretty soon I realized what their intention was. I was asked a lot of stupid questions, they were offering discounts tours or hotels accomadation and etc. I was just being polite and listen in to their sale tactics, mean while I was thinking didn't they wanted to check my bags? I didn't realized that Thai Customs Dept allowed their officers to work partime as sales associate for the tour company while on duty? Anyway after I refused any of their services they starting to ask me a serious of intimidating questions. Why am I bringing in a can of peanuts into Thailand, they also said that my girlfriends makeup and prescription drugs are not certified by the Thai food and drugs adminstration! Did you know that peanuts, sun block and personal makeups are very expensive in Thailand. By bringing in these items I have to declare them and paid a little duty. I was puzzled by their actions and was asked to follow them into this tiny room in the right hand side. Now only one custom lead me into this room and asked politely for 2500 bath and a receipt will be given to me. I declined and said that I wanted to talk to Thai Airways personal and I don't mind sending these items home or leave it at the airport until we leave this country. He said he doesn't work for Thai Airways and nothing they can do for me anyway but ok this is my first offense he will let me go for 1000 bath. At this point I was annoyed and very frustrated so I complied and gave him 1000 bath he let me go and welcome me to Thailand. I got it easy sabai sabai Thai styles.

This incident bother me just a bit it create a very negative image for the Kingdom of Thailand. This kind of incident will not happen if the Customs Department of Thailand pay their officer at least a living wage so at least they won't have to beg for tourist money.

Edited October 25, 2007 by pistolpete

[Maestro]

This incident bother me just a bit it create a very negative image for the Kingdom of Thailand. This kind of incident will not happen if the Customs Department of Thailand pay their officer at least a living wage so at least they won't have to beg for tourist money.

I am curious to know what made you arrive at this conclusion.

How much does the officer who allegedly extorted 1,000 Baht from you earn?

How much would be a “living wage” in Chiang Mai be?

--

Maestro

[pistolpete]

I think they work as a team, everyone in that morning shift probably earn a 100 bath each or something?

The living wage should be enough for them to support their family and have some pride in their duty as a Custom Officer.

By the way if you are familiar with the airport the tour desk is on the right hand side before entering the green lane these officer push harder than the

person behind the counter.

pistolpete

[londonthai]

according to the other thread (about customs in bangkok) those officials in the arrival area belong to some other branch controlling VAT (they are not customs). If your goods are for a personal use does not matter how expensive they are - they would have to prove that they are for sale. Should ignore them in your case.

that kind of extortian happens in all poor countries

[Maestro]

...The living wage should be enough for them to support their family and have some pride in their duty as a Custom Officer...

Sorry, but this does not support your sweeping allegation that customs officers at Chiang Mai airport are paid less than a “living wage”

Is it possible that you are a troll?

--

Maestro

[misterme]

You should have contacted your embassy.

It's better late than never, so even if you report it to them now, it'll surely be better than not at all.

[pistolpete]

Maestro,

I just want to share my personal experienced with you guys. Like I said before there is no hard feeling! Thailand is totally

awesome. I love to travel and I have been to Thailand many times. Usually I arrived in Bkk not direct transfer to other airport.

london thai

By the way this incident happen inside the inspection area, so for sure is the Thai Custom Officer.

pistolpete

Edited October 25, 2007 by pistolpete

[TheEmperorOfTheNorth]

Sad, but then many people don't realize that loads of things in Thailand ARE actually at 'Third World Feudal-Military Dictatorship' level, and currently more so than ever.

[taxexile]

again , this report (if true) illustrates yet another scam against tourists , carried out under the noses of authority at the airport.

bogus police , bogus customs officers , bogus limo drivers , illegal taxi drivers etc.etc.

pistol pete , if it upsets you so much , and it should , then write to the local media in thailand , report it back home to the thai embasy , publicise it as much as possible.

one day the thai authorities might just wake up to the fact that slowly but surely the increasing number of negative experiences being reported by tourists to thailand will make the country and its authorities a laughing stock.

[Ulysses G.]

This REALLY sounds like <an unlikely event>. Customs officers trying to sell him tours?

I have never heard of a story like this happening in Thailand and I find it VERY difficult to believe.

Edited October 31, 2007 by Crow Boy
removal of vulgar word

[sceadugenga]

This REALLY sounds like <an unlikely event>. Customs officers trying to sell him tours?

I have never heard of a story like this happening in Thailand and I find it VERY difficult to believe.

You're probably right General but just think back on some of the things you've seen here over the years that anyone else would find VERY difficult to believe.

On another forum a number of members claim to have had similar experiences at Swampy BKK.

[Ulysses G.]

I would believe it in a second if he were talking about the Philipines, but THAILAND?

[Farma]

The swampy thread along similar lines is here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=130325

[Contractor]

This really sounds like a troll post - by someone who dislikes the customs staff at CNX perhaps...

[meadish_sweetball]

I've never heard anyone experiencing the same thing before and agree it sounds far fetched, but I will reserve judgment for now... sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

[mikethevigoman]

Sad, but then many people don't realize that loads of things in Thailand ARE actually at 'Third World Feudal-Military Dictatorship' level, and currently more so than ever.

Your answer is more to the point and in my opinon correct, us expats just shrug it off as we live here but i CAN relate to a tourist geting pissed off,

[Maejo Man]

This really sounds like a troll post - by someone who dislikes the customs staff at CNX perhaps...

Au contraire mon ami. The same thing happened to me some years ago, not the sales pitch, but trying to extort customs duty for non dutiable items. I refused to pay. As did another poster on TV who was being "tickled" up for bogus duty, he might reply if he sees this thread.

The OP is certainly no troll, and I have yet to savour the experience of being "sold" tours and such...TIT

[britmaveric]

Politely decline and ask for their supervisor.

[Cyberstar]

This thread reveals that some posters - despite their many years of residency - in their naivety would be easy victims for any scam, they haven't heard or read about in precisely that version ...

[Ulysses G.]

If a customs officer lies to me about what goods carry a duty, I might fall for it, but if he starts trying to sell me tours and a hotel room, I am going to laugh in his face.

[realthaideal]

I don't know.... sounds troll-ey, especially as a first post, and apparently quite some time after the incident, but I couldn't say it didn't/ doesn't happen. And I'm sure it, or some variant does all the time in all kinds of places around LOS. But as for being an experienced expat here, vs a susceptible first-time tourist, I'd remain totally calm - maybe laugh a little UG - but I'd be calm and show that I'm not having none of it. Like the other guy said, ask for a supervisor, get some tourist police, there's a way out, but not acting boisterous or causing willful loss of face, not while still under their alleged jurisdiction. I'd get out of that situation then seek to find out which higher ups could bring about some discipline. In the case of the OP, I'm betting they were two very wide-eyed newbies that he knew he could hit up. This is sad, but it could happen. My first time here I got worked by the taxi guy on the way to my hotel on Sukh 11. Though I insisted 'meter' he eventually moved something to block it during the trip (some kind of rag and a clipboard), I was tired, in shock to finally be in Asia, and forgot to look, paid a total like 350 B - almost triple the fare - and then realized that I forgot to look to confirm the price b4 I paid. He'd just driven off. Oh well, caught once, first hour in Thld, lesson learned. Only problem is, now and then there's still a new one you don't anticipate and you may get put through the ringer, or at least waste some time trying to extricate yourself from it. Whatcha gonna do? C'est la vie...or um, mai pen lai.

[pistolpete]

Trust me I didn't make this up Ulysses G. The tour booth is on the right hand side before exiting to the "Nothing to declare lane" in CNX. My guess is either they owned the shop or they work part time for them. They asked us politely at first how long do we plan to stay in Chiangmai. They mentioned the cheapest way around is to join the local escorted tour. Ask us if we already booked the hotel and they can get us really good deal if we haven't had a reservation. Please follow them to the booth. We pretend to look at some pictures and politely decline.

I am sure someone else had been thru this similar situation before that they can attest to it. Trust me like I said earlier, this incident only bother me a little bit and I am not a troll either. Again I just want to share my experienced with you guys. So if you ever get yourself into the same situation at least you will know exactly what to do.

BTW D2hotel rock!!!

[Keithangel]

I don't know.... sounds troll-ey, especially as a first post, and apparently quite some time after the incident, but I couldn't say it didn't/ doesn't happen. And I'm sure it, or some variant does all the time in all kinds of places around LOS. But as for being an experienced expat here, vs a susceptible first-time tourist, I'd remain totally calm - maybe laugh a little UG - but I'd be calm and show that I'm not having none of it. Like the other guy said, ask for a supervisor, get some tourist police, there's a way out, but not acting boisterous or causing willful loss of face, not while still under their alleged jurisdiction. I'd get out of that situation then seek to find out which higher ups could bring about some discipline. In the case of the OP, I'm betting they were two very wide-eyed newbies that he knew he could hit up. This is sad, but it could happen. My first time here I got worked by the taxi guy on the way to my hotel on Sukh 11. Though I insisted 'meter' he eventually moved something to block it during the trip (some kind of rag and a clipboard), I was tired, in shock to finally be in Asia, and forgot to look, paid a total like 350 B - almost triple the fare - and then realized that I forgot to look to confirm the price b4 I paid. He'd just driven off. Oh well, caught once, first hour in Thld, lesson learned. Only problem is, now and then there's still a new one you don't anticipate and you may get put through the ringer, or at least waste some time trying to extricate yourself from it. Whatcha gonna do? C'est la vie...or um, mai pen lai.

I agree,with the last part, the key part of the O.P. is 20hours this makes it much more difficult to retain ones tranquility(assuming one has any) and therfor vunerable.

I arrived (third visit) at the new airport bkk ,got the tourism to write my hotel destination in Thai, then official taxi rank with the airport bookers, Finaly relised taxi-driver had passed A-One when I saw it from the express way and had to "explain" much gesturing, to tired to be pizzd off just wanted my bed

[pistolpete]

FYI for the inspector gadget. My flight number is TG 795 from Lax to Bkk and then transit to CNX with TG 102 arriving in CNX around 9:30 am. Seat number 53a-53b and 46J 46k. Why waited all this time to post this? I guessed today I am bored to death. LOL (departure date June 7 arriving in CNX on June 9th)

Edited October 26, 2007 by pistolpete

[Ulysses G.]

I said that I would laugh in the officer's face (I wouldn't), but if I were new here, I would be scared sh*tless of somehow losing my visa for not co-operating. This is the kind of thing that can make tourists afraid to visit Thailand.

If they are doing this, it needs to stop immediately!

[britmaveric]

My experience they target easy marks. You dont have a clue on how to proceed if this happens to you.. ie ask for their supervisor or Tourist Police. My feeling if you'd done so they most likely would have moved on to the next farang.

Not your fault really, but just a lesson one learns through experience.

[tijnebijn]

If a customs officer lies to me about what goods carry a duty, I might fall for it, but if he starts trying to sell me tours and a hotel room, I am going to laugh in his face.

Exactly , I would do the same , kgo thot krap, pom maimi wehla (while listening) uh uh uh mai au

[pistolpete]

I can't believe no one here ever experienced this kind of incident in Chiangmai before. Wow I guessed there is a "stupid" sign written on my forehead.

[Physherman]

I said that I would laugh in the officer's face (I wouldn't), but if I were new here, I would be scared sh*tless of somehow losing my visa for not co-operating. This is the kind of thing that can make tourists afraid to visit Thailand.

If they are doing this, it needs to stop immediately!

I think Ulysses has a good point. When we are tourists trying to come into a strange country, we do try to be as cooperative as possible. We don't want to cause a scene. This is the same way some 'con artists' work. You don't want to make a fuss, so you go along with their scam. Works even better if they are wearing official uniforms.

Remember, in Thailand a farang ALWAYS has the right to have Tourist Police present if there is a problem. Ask for them. If they refuse, you KNOW it's a scam.

The Fly Fisherman

[Crow Boy]

I have been watching this thread and have some reservations about it. However if it makes others new visitors and old hands alike aware of a scam then it will have purpose and be left running. However if it proves to be a troll or an opportunity to flame Thai officials it will be closed immediately.

regards

CB