Wasnt Stoped To Check Bags, At Airport

[WilliamCave]

Hi all, I entered Thailand this time at the airport and noticed they stoped alot of Thais and checked there luggage. When I approached with 2 very big duffle bags on wheels was sure they were going to stop me but they wavied me by, but stopet many thais....could this be a new rule not to bother the farang? Any one elses experiences with entering latley. Because the next time I am going to enter with 4 big duffle bags with presents for my family and friends and some things I want for my comfort there. What is your thoughts?

[scottyd]

Please keep us updated on what happens, if their new policy is not to stop farangs at customs, i'm doing the biggest drug run ever. I'll make a FORTUNE!

[sendbaht]

I have never been stopped going thorough "nothing to declare" isle at customs in Bangkok. Always just waved though or ignored. This is in the last 25 years.

Wife and I came back for a short trip to California 2 weeks ago carrying 2 racing road bikes and 2 large suit cases, we entered "nothing to declare" side of the isle and for the first time EVER, a custom officer asked my wife where we lived, she said CM, he waved us though. My heart pounded some these were expenses bicycles bought last year when I was still employed, bicycles I would not buy today that is for sure and thinking iI might now have to pay some import duty had me a bit worried, but no, the friendly wave on though wave.

[IMA_FARANG]

I have never been stopped going thorough "nothing to declare" isle at customs in Bangkok. Always just waved though or ignored. This is in the last 25 years.

Wife and I came back for a short trip to California 2 weeks ago carrying 2 racing road bikes and 2 large suit cases, we entered "nothing to declare" side of the isle and for the first time EVER, a custom officer asked my wife where we lived, she said CM, he waved us though. My heart pounded some these were expenses bicycles bought last year when I was still employed, bicycles I would not buy today that is for sure and thinking iI might now have to pay some import duty had me a bit worried, but no, the friendly wave on though wave.

I came into Thailand on the 17th of February. Went thru the green "nothing to declare" area like always. I had just a roller type suitcase and a computer bag. The person in front of me...a farang woman...was stopped for a random check. I waitied until she was done and was about to put my suitcase up on the counter, but the customs guy just waved me thru. No idea why he stopped the woman in front of me...maybe he just liked her looks.

I have to admit she was better looking than me.

[PhilHarries]

Like the others I have never been stopped by Thai customs. In fact during twenty years of fairly intensive international travel often with substantial baggage I have only ever been stopped once. That was early morning at HLT T3 and all I had was one suitcase but then I think the officer was bored and I happened along at the right (?) time. Never bothers me as I truly DO pack my own baggage, if I carry something for someone I demand to seee it before any wrapping up is done and I very rarely bother with duty frees.

Oh and I do NOT do drugs, the illegal kind, nor would I every carry even the smallest amount for anyone even if it were just down the road.

Interesting that the OP says they were stopping a lot of Thais. Either they had a tip off or maybe they target different profiles different days.

[londonthai]

customs stop at random, when somobody looks nervous.

happened to me once in don muang and once in bkk, everybody was put through x-ray, no ecception

[pampal]

Never been stopped at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang

[phetaroi]

Out of about 15 trips to Thailand, I was only stopped once, I think triggered by having two large suitcases, a laptop, and a large camera bag. Even then it took about 2 minutes and they waved me on.

[TruthWillOut]

Maybe thy had word of a thai carrying something illegal. Were the people being stoped all similar,all men, all similar looking haircut etc?

[LadyHeather]

I've never been stopped by customs, regardless of how much luggage I carry or don't carry. But then I am a western woman so perhaps don't fit whatever profile they have.

I do, however, always see Thais being stopped by customs, usually people returning from working overseas that have many large boxes and bags. And then they get their things gone over with a fine tooth comb.

[Carmine6]

Seems pretty random to me, which is the right way to do it. Otherwise smugglers figure it out. I've seen Thais waived through with huge boxes wrapped in ropes and tape. But to get the real contraband, you probably want to stop the guy following right behind or a few people behind them.

But then I rarely see people stopped. Saw one guy stopped who had a lot of camera gear and a seemingly a really small suitcase. So that seemed odd. Never been stopped myself. 16 entries in the last 5 years so not as many as some.

I've heard backpacker types get extra scrutiny, but never really seem to be flying the same flights as them.