Airport Customs Scam

[loser1]

I was reading an article on the bbc news website about the kingpower story and noticed some comments at the bottom submitted by two readers documenting bad experiences, i was suprised to see that people were getting scammed like this. Has anybody any advice if this happens at the airport.

Comments by BBC news readers in response to king power story.

Another scam at Bangkok Airport is when the Thai customs meet passengers off airplanes from Dubai/Qatar where there is cheap duty free. The customs tell passengers to put duty free items inside their check-in luggage when they take it off the carousel - or they will be prosecuted for smuggling. They then tell people that it will be OK not to show or declare any duty free items. When the passengers reach the arrivals area, the customs pounce and you are arrested and taken to customs head office at BANG NA and told to pay four times the duty or go straight to jail. There is an ATM machine next door to the customs office. Your goods are kept by the officers and they then pocket the money you have paid them and you are free to go without any criminal record.

Paul Grant, London, UK

Same happened to me in April this year. The police arrested me and charged me approx £400. There were 5 of us in our group, we purchased 1000 cigarettes at Heathrow, but on leaving the plane at Bangkok the police approached me and told me to keep them in one bag. I did as I was told, and that was the set up, so when I got through customs with the other four people they arrested me and would not accept what we told them. They took copies of my passport and made me sign at least six documents, all in Thai. They would not give me copies so at this moment I don't know what I signed. They escorted me to an ATM. I have been in touch with the British consulate who asked me if I want to make a complaint but I don't want to go to another country and find they have done something to my passport. I will never return to Thailand again, it was the scariest time of my life.

Lynn Ward, UK

I don't know how to add the web link.

[fred2007]

[loser1]

Exactly.

[ctrunfree]

Ummm...I think Fred is seeking to make the point, graphically, that this is very old news, and has been done to death over recent weeks on this forum...try searching for "duty free scam" and I'm sure you'll find it

[pagallim]

Ummm...I think Fred is seeking to make the point, graphically, that this is very old news, and has been done to death over recent weeks on this forum...try searching for "duty free scam" and I'm sure you'll find it

No, I think that this is a separate point. Everyone is aware of the King Power scam, but this is different, and involves air side (arriving) passengers and Customs (rather than departing passengers purchasing/stealing (sic) Duty Free. Bottom line, avoid arriving/departing BKK.

[pagallim]

Ummm...I think Fred is seeking to make the point, graphically, that this is very old news, and has been done to death over recent weeks on this forum...try searching for "duty free scam" and I'm sure you'll find it

No, I think that this is a separate point. Everyone is aware of the King Power scam, but this is different, and involves air side (arriving) passengers and Customs (rather than departing passengers purchasing/stealing (sic) Duty Free. Bottom line, avoid arriving/departing BKK.

Forgot to mention, this is in addition to the baggage theft problems of arriving (and probably departing) passengers.

[loser1]

Ummm...I think Fred is seeking to make the point, graphically, that this is very old news, and has been done to death over recent weeks on this forum...try searching for "duty free scam" and I'm sure you'll find it

Ummm...I think Fred is seeking to make the point, graphically, that this is very old news, and has been done to death over recent weeks on this forum...try searching for "duty free scam" and I'm sure you'll find it

No, I think that this is a separate point. Everyone is aware of the King Power scam, but this is different, and involves air side (arriving) passengers and Customs (rather than departing passengers purchasing/stealing (sic) Duty Free. Bottom line, avoid arriving/departing BKK.

Hey i know this is a seperate issue, i have just searched thaivisa as instructed by ' ctrunfree ' and have found nothing purporting to this subject.

Why is thai visa full of antagonistic know it all's. I have just read a never ending thread about a report of an old guy who got drugged after stupidly getting involved with some locals, and there insued pages of doubt whether it was true, who cares that much whether it's true, it's a mute point?

I don't post here normally due to the antagonism of the old folk on here, but i think it is worth bringing it up coz i for one didn't know that people were being mis directed on where to store duty liable goods and then getting pounced on , if a moderator thinks this is a thread not worthy of exposure then feel free to delete it.

Edited August 2, 2009 by loser1

[britmaveric]

Duty free is duty free - read how much a country allows for fags or booze and stick with it. Most places entering - you are only allowed 1litre booze and 1 carton of fags. Stick with this and you won't find any trouble - if you do bring in more than whats allowed then you are taking a chance at getting done and making it a costly for your pocketbook.

Edited August 2, 2009 by britmaveric

[hkt83100]

read how much a country allows for fags or booze and stick with it.

I absolute cannot understand why people are complaining if they try to bring more in than they are allowed to. There are limits, so just stick to it. The rules are published in on-flight magazines and whereever you look at. Try to take 2000 cigarettes to England duty free, the Customs will not be very pleased I think. In German I would say something like "grab your own nose" but don't complain about being caught for breaking the rules.

[pagallim]

Ummm...I think Fred is seeking to make the point, graphically, that this is very old news, and has been done to death over recent weeks on this forum...try searching for "duty free scam" and I'm sure you'll find it

Ummm...I think Fred is seeking to make the point, graphically, that this is very old news, and has been done to death over recent weeks on this forum...try searching for "duty free scam" and I'm sure you'll find it

No, I think that this is a separate point. Everyone is aware of the King Power scam, but this is different, and involves air side (arriving) passengers and Customs (rather than departing passengers purchasing/stealing (sic) Duty Free. Bottom line, avoid arriving/departing BKK.

Hey i know this is a seperate issue, i have just searched thaivisa as instructed by ' ctrunfree ' and have found nothing purporting to this subject.

Why is thai visa full of antagonistic know it all's. I have just read a never ending thread about a report of an old guy who got drugged after stupidly getting involved with some locals, and there insued pages of doubt whether it was true, who cares that much whether it's true, it's a mute point?

I don't post here normally due to the antagonism of the old folk on here, but i think it is worth bringing it up coz i for one didn't know that people were being mis directed on where to store duty liable goods and then getting pounced on , if a moderator thinks this is a thread not worthy of exposure then feel free to delete it.

No, don't be discouraged. Anything that creates awareness is worthy of posting. I think sometimes that in the melting pot of airport scams that are commented on, that the different variations are sometimes lost. As in this case at the airport, how many different problems are raised? Could be the duty free shoplifting scam, items stolen from luggage, touts in the arrivals hall, overcharging of taxi drivers, suspect application of duty free allowances regulations etc, etc. Personally, I never route through BKK, always Singapore instead. Service and attitudes are excellent, airside assistance, if required, are second to none, and the flight time to Phuket is virtually the same as from BKK.

[loser1]

Duty free is duty free - read how much a country allows for fags or booze and stick with it. Most places entering - you are only allowed 1litre booze and 1 carton of fags. Stick with this and you won't find any trouble - if you do bring in more than whats allowed then you are taking a chance at getting done and making it a costly for your pocketbook.

18,000 posts and thats all you have to say on the subject. The english woman states that 5 travellers had 200 cigs each and and when they got to bangkok they were instructed wrongly to put all the packets in 1 bag , when they were stopped a little later on in the airport by different customs they were fined hundreds of pounds for one passenger having more than there quota.

I can just imagine 'Britmaveric' dispensing his golden advice to this woman as she was trying to tell him what had happened " Hey i'm not interested love i'm the britmaveric, just make sure you've 200 and 1 bottle and your pocketbook will be fine. Anyway good luck with that i'm off to get a taxi, bye love". What a guy.

[britmaveric]

[djc45]

i know this is a seperate issue, i have just searched thaivisa as instructed by ' ctrunfree ' and have found nothing purporting to this subject.

Why is thai visa full of antagonistic know it all's. I have just read a never ending thread about a report of an old guy who got drugged after stupidly getting involved with some locals, and there insued pages of doubt whether it was true, who cares that much whether it's true, it's a mute point?

I don't post here normally due to the antagonism of the old folk on here, but i think it is worth bringing it up coz i for one didn't know that people were being mis directed on where to store duty liable goods and then getting pounced on , if a moderator thinks this is a thread not worthy of exposure then feel free to delete it.

I am with you on this

I don’t understand why you get posts from people who just don’t read the op’s post and add constructive comments or criticism

I think the moderators should move such posts to a “BULL SHIT“ topic and let posters get on with proper discussions that relate to the op post,

yes it is a public forum but when you get people like loser1 trying inform other tv users to help them its shameful that the silly replies are posted

carry on posting loser1 and just ignore the crap

Edited August 3, 2009 by djc45

[Hawaiian]

Have to agree with pagallim and djc45. There are many variations to the scams which may not always be recognized as a dishonest ploy to rip you off. These crooks spend 24 hours a day working on new schemes or reworking old ones to separate you and your money. Please don't stop posting. I have gained some very valuable information from your warnings and have given advice to my friends who are very appreciative. Aloha and mahalo.

[glegolo]

Have to agree with pagallim and djc45. There are many variations to the scams which may not always be recognized as a dishonest ploy to rip you off. These crooks spend 24 hours a day working on new schemes or reworking old ones to separate you and your money. Please don't stop posting. I have gained some very valuable information from your warnings and have given advice to my friends who are very appreciative. Aloha and mahalo.

--------------------------------------------------

Yes have to agree, very usefull with all the information from you TV guys who posts.

As you said, I forward it to other friends, some that maybe do not even speak any english.

So again,

Thanks..

Glegolo

[hansnl]

read how much a country allows for fags or booze and stick with it.

I absolute cannot understand why people are complaining if they try to bring more in than they are allowed to. There are limits, so just stick to it. The rules are published in on-flight magazines and whereever you look at. Try to take 2000 cigarettes to England duty free, the Customs will not be very pleased I think. In German I would say something like "grab your own nose" but don't complain about being caught for breaking the rules.

Yes, oh yes, you are so right.

However.

The post is about the (alleged) scam by the customs officers.

Of course the basis is taking too much duty-free with you, but the follow up by the authorities, the misdirecting, and the pilfering of money from the misdirected.

That is where it is all about.

This on top of all the other (alleged) scams at the airport gives the tourist an insight into what may be expected on arrival and departure, and may even give a reasonable indication what a tourist may expect in Thailand.

It does not bide well for tourism, and even worse for the people of Thailand.

Edited August 3, 2009 by hansnl

[Kf6vci]

I had my luggage searched before and after Customs. Right outside the gate by one of the blokes in black uniforms with handheld radions. No ID shown. And at the elevator on the Arrivals level.

Is it legal? Can they just do their searches for cigarettes anywhere and without as much as showing ID?

Those who carry big "Dubai Duty Free" bags, watch out.

It is absurd to claim these fines are "4 times the duty on cigarettes". A carton of Marlboro is still below $ 20 at supermarkets. 4 cartons = $ 75 retail, and the goods have their price as well, it is not just all taxes. Now take the "20,000 Baht" or equal almost $ 580. this doesn't add up. Q: Anyone knows the official fine catalogue? Or is this another case of officials milking tourists without proper receipts?

Finally, those who smoke only their usual brand, how much would the duty be? After the recent tax increase, Marlboros at the supermarket are still below $ 20 a carton. Henceforth, their duty cannot be more than $ 10 per carton. Those who bring 5 cartons or 1000 cigarettes should in theory get away with paying the duty of about $ 40. [/b Does anyone know this?[b]

Edited August 17, 2009 by Kf6vci

[syd barrett]

I had my luggage searched before and after Customs. Right outside the gate by one of the blokes in black uniforms with handheld radions. No ID shown. And at the elevator on the Arrivals level.

Is it legal? Can they just do their searches for cigarettes anywhere and without as much as showing ID?

Once you have cleared the 'official' customs in Bangkok Airport, don't let anyone touch your bags. If someone attempts this threaten to call the tourist police in a loud voice.

These people are just scam artists preying on naive passengers, looking to either steal your tobacco and liquor or else 'plant' your suitcase with some sub-standard grass for police tip-offs and 100,000 baht bribes.

Use your loaf, don't let anyone touch your bags.

[PattayaParent]

I had my luggage searched before and after Customs. Right outside the gate by one of the blokes in black uniforms with handheld radions. No ID shown. And at the elevator on the Arrivals level.

Is it legal? Can they just do their searches for cigarettes anywhere and without as much as showing ID?

Those who carry big "Dubai Duty Free" bags, watch out.

Yes, perfectly legal, the Customs and Excise Revenue officers cans stop and search you anywhere, even inside your own home.

[CaptainNemo]

I would simply avoid shopping in airports apart from when absolutely necessary (e.g.: food); just make a beeline or where you're going.

I've never understood why people go in those shops... then again, I've never been a smoker.

Why is thai visa full of antagonistic know it all's.

That's what online forums are generally for isn't it?... ranting, trolling, pontificating, demanding, mocking, and most of all, accumulating virtual status that you might not be able to acquire in meatspace.

If you get status, you can rant; if you don't like someone's rant, you can brand them a troll; then get a few others to roll in and pontificate. Sometimes it's deserved when you get someone demanding information or being tediously unpleasant; sometimes it's not, and that's when a jolly good mocking is due to those who've "acquired Na", and think they've joined some kind of forum-ocracy.

It's easy to forget that forums are not real "territory"; and there is no real "status"... they are just lines of data stored on someone else's hard drive somewhere, much like e-mails... so just imagine you're at a party and ignore the people whose comments you're not interested in as you would in meatspace; and shower niceness upon those who's views you are... there are few things as embarrassing as watching a statusgrasping pontificator rowing with a demanding troller; but everyone deserves a bit of rant or mock now and then, I reckon, as long as we can all shake hands after. [whoops, I've just ranted!]

Edited August 28, 2009 by CaptainNemo

[loser1]

Why is thai visa full of antagonistic know it all's.

That's what all online forums are generally for... ranting, trolling, pontificating, demanding, mocking, and most of all, accumulating virtual status that you might not be able to acquire in meatspace.

If you get status, you can rant; if you don't like someone's rant, you can brand them a troll; then get a few others to roll in and pontificate. Sometimes it's deserved when you get someone demanding information; sometimes it's not, and that's when to mock those who "acquired Na", and think they've joined some kind of forum-ocracy.

It applies to all forums on all topics... it's easy to forget that forums are not real "territory"; and there is no real "status"... they are just lines of data stored on someone else's hard drive somewhere, much like e-mails... so just imagine you're at a party and ignore the people whose comments you're not interested in as you would in meatspace; and shower niceness upon those who's views you are... there are few things as embarrassing as watching a statusgrasping pontificator rowing with a demanding troller; but everyone deserves a bit of rant or mock now and then, I reckon, as long as we can all shake hands after.

I agree,

I can add little to the duty free issue. I had a lovely end to my Thailand holiday yesterday. I arrived back in the UK and while sitting on the tarmac waiting to disembark the plane i could here the loud 'chavvy' family from leicester conspiring to firstly smuggle there 4 complimentary wines off the flight and also to take 1400 fags from dubai through the nothing to declare channel. So i quietly reported them to the flight attendants who duley confiscated the wine. That was just a jab i thought next was the knock out blow, when we got into Birmingham arrivals i stayed close and shopped them and another loud co-conspiritorial family who they were friends with to the customs. I went through customs and took up my position and waited, oh the look on there faces when they got pulled, fantastic. I even went and stood next to the puzzled scum outside while they waited for a taxi for leicester. Yes it was a lovely end to a horrible flight.

So just goes to show the Thai visa nastiness can rub off.

[Phaka2]

Just want to say that I have been through airport customs more times that I can count and have always been treated very well whether I go through green with a couple of extra bottles of wine and cajole my way through or whether I go through red where on more than one occasion, I have been passed through without having to pay duty as an act of generosity. Geez, I hope I didn't just jinx myself....

[mca]

Why is thai visa full of antagonistic know it all's.

It takes their mind off the fact that their missus just blew another 20000 baht playing Hi-Lo behind the temple with her mates.

[ballogie]

you evil sod

Why is thai visa full of antagonistic know it all's.

That's what all online forums are generally for... ranting, trolling, pontificating, demanding, mocking, and most of all, accumulating virtual status that you might not be able to acquire in meatspace.

If you get status, you can rant; if you don't like someone's rant, you can brand them a troll; then get a few others to roll in and pontificate. Sometimes it's deserved when you get someone demanding information; sometimes it's not, and that's when to mock those who "acquired Na", and think they've joined some kind of forum-ocracy.

It applies to all forums on all topics... it's easy to forget that forums are not real "territory"; and there is no real "status"... they are just lines of data stored on someone else's hard drive somewhere, much like e-mails... so just imagine you're at a party and ignore the people whose comments you're not interested in as you would in meatspace; and shower niceness upon those who's views you are... there are few things as embarrassing as watching a statusgrasping pontificator rowing with a demanding troller; but everyone deserves a bit of rant or mock now and then, I reckon, as long as we can all shake hands after.

I agree,

I can add little to the duty free issue. I had a lovely end to my Thailand holiday yesterday. I arrived back in the UK and while sitting on the tarmac waiting to disembark the plane i could here the loud 'chavvy' family from leicester conspiring to firstly smuggle there 4 complimentary wines off the flight and also to take 1400 fags from dubai through the nothing to declare channel. So i quietly reported them to the flight attendants who duley confiscated the wine. That was just a jab i thought next was the knock out blow, when we got into Birmingham arrivals i stayed close and shopped them and another loud co-conspiritorial family who they were friends with to the customs. I went through customs and took up my position and waited, oh the look on there faces when they got pulled, fantastic. I even went and stood next to the puzzled scum outside while they waited for a taxi for leicester. Yes it was a lovely end to a horrible flight.

So just goes to show the Thai visa nastiness can rub off.

[lubbkis]

Duty free is duty free - read how much a country allows for fags or booze and stick with it. Most places entering - you are only allowed 1litre booze and 1 carton of fags. Stick with this and you won't find any trouble - if you do bring in more than whats allowed then you are taking a chance at getting done and making it a costly for your pocketbook.

Someone who has been instructed by one uniformed official to perform an act that a uniformed official of another agency then threatens prosecution for has every right to complain. That does NOT happen in England. Further, these passengers are not saying they were being threatened with prosecution for exceeding exceding limits but for concealing Duty Free goods which they were instructed to do. This is an absolute disgrace and the kind of thing that is earning Thailand a rotten apple reputation.

[samran]

I had my luggage searched before and after Customs. Right outside the gate by one of the blokes in black uniforms with handheld radions. No ID shown. And at the elevator on the Arrivals level.

Is it legal? Can they just do their searches for cigarettes anywhere and without as much as showing ID?

Those who carry big "Dubai Duty Free" bags, watch out.

It is absurd to claim these fines are "4 times the duty on cigarettes". A carton of Marlboro is still below $ 20 at supermarkets. 4 cartons = $ 75 retail, and the goods have their price as well, it is not just all taxes. Now take the "20,000 Baht" or equal almost $ 580. this doesn't add up. Q: Anyone knows the official fine catalogue? Or is this another case of officials milking tourists without proper receipts?

Finally, those who smoke only their usual brand, how much would the duty be? After the recent tax increase, Marlboros at the supermarket are still below $ 20 a carton. Henceforth, their duty cannot be more than $ 10 per carton. Those who bring 5 cartons or 1000 cigarettes should in theory get away with paying the duty of about $ 40. [/b Does anyone know this?[b]

Announcement is here...

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/newversion...Tobacco_Act.php

[nurgut73]

stupid stories. sometimes common sense helps avoiding trouble. don't blame thailand and don't even blame officials trying to scam you if you make it soooooo easy for them...

[rabcbroon]

Exactly.

On the contrary - the more this kind of shit is exposed the better

[rabcbroon]

stupid stories. sometimes common sense helps avoiding trouble. don't blame thailand and don't even blame officials trying to scam you if you make it soooooo easy for them...

Dont blame officials for trying to scam you Are you Thai?

[Grumbles]

Duty free is duty free - read how much a country allows for fags or booze and stick with it. Most places entering - you are only allowed 1litre booze and 1 carton of fags. Stick with this and you won't find any trouble - if you do bring in more than whats allowed then you are taking a chance at getting done and making it a costly for your pocketbook.

Someone who has been instructed by one uniformed official to perform an act that a uniformed official of another agency then threatens prosecution for has every right to complain. That does NOT happen in England. Further, these passengers are not saying they were being threatened with prosecution for exceeding exceding limits but for concealing Duty Free goods which they were instructed to do. This is an absolute disgrace and the kind of thing that is earning Thailand a rotten apple reputation.

Regards to the sentence "That does NOT happen in England." Be aware Thailand is NOT England. Remember that fact and you shouldn't have any problems.

If you don't like that - STAY IN ENGLAND!!!