Increased Vigilance By Customs At Suvarnabhumi?

[FRM-BKK]

For the first time in all my travels to LOS over the last 25 years, was I stopped last night on my arrival from the UK, via Mumbai on Jet Airways.

As I walked through the "nothing to Declare" channel, I was asked to put one (out of 4) bags through the scanner; this happened to be my carry-on luggage. I had nothing of any value or interest in this bag. I had a small box with 3 Christmas glass Baubles in this bag (I know - don't ask!!).

They asked me to look inside the bag and kept going through it, as if they were looking for something. They took the baubles and asked if there was anything inside?

I suggested that they put the baubles through the scanner again, which they did, but found nothing. They came bag to the bag and searched further (two officers by now) but didn't find anything, although their body language suggested that they were looking for something in the bag but they couldn't find it. They looked puzzled.....

After some 5 minutes they waved me on. They were kind and polite throughout the process and so was I.

I was surprised though......................

FrmBkk.

[syd barrett]

I had a small box with 3 Christmas glass Baubles in this bag

Were they the brittle glass-type or the strengthened version and were they all one colour or a selection of three different shades?

Also did you pack any Christmas-Crackers?

Thanks.

Edited October 8, 2009 by syd barrett

[Donnyboy]

New Zealand must be one of the most anal ones about all this. I have a friend in Bangkok who took a business trip to Auckland and found out the hard way. He frequently tossed an apple into his computer case when he went off to work here in BKK for a quick snack in case he worked through lunch or something. Unfortunately for him, he forgot that he still had one in his case when he flew down to Auckland. NZ Customs found it, he told them that he was really sorry and had simply forgotten about it, but NZ Customs still found it necessary to punish him with a NZ$150 fine for a single undeclared appl. Absolutely silly.

flip side: customs is trying to prevent unwanted pests and dieases coming thru that could potentially ruin its export economy

simple procedure is to declare it or dump it

if thats percieved to be anal, so be it.

[bubba]

New Zealand must be one of the most anal ones about all this. I have a friend in Bangkok who took a business trip to Auckland and found out the hard way. He frequently tossed an apple into his computer case when he went off to work here in BKK for a quick snack in case he worked through lunch or something. Unfortunately for him, he forgot that he still had one in his case when he flew down to Auckland. NZ Customs found it, he told them that he was really sorry and had simply forgotten about it, but NZ Customs still found it necessary to punish him with a NZ$150 fine for a single undeclared appl. Absolutely silly.

flip side: customs is trying to prevent unwanted pests and dieases coming thru that could potentially ruin its export economy

simple procedure is to declare it or dump it

if thats percieved to be anal, so be it.

Sure, nearly all countries have agricultural restrictions and for good reason. But this was one apple and obviously an honest mistake. Surely confiscating the apple and giving a stern warning would have done the job.

[Donnyboy]

Sure, nearly all countries have agricultural restrictions and for good reason. But this was one apple and obviously an honest mistake. Surely confiscating the apple and giving a stern warning would have done the job.

i guess so, but its not like customs had no warning signs. I think max penalty can be $100k. Mark it down as experience, lesson learnt. Also him telling you spreads the word that the customs there arent flexible in these matters.

[samran]

Sure, nearly all countries have agricultural restrictions and for good reason. But this was one apple and obviously an honest mistake. Surely confiscating the apple and giving a stern warning would have done the job.

i guess so, but its not like customs had no warning signs. I think max penalty can be $100k. Mark it down as experience, lesson learnt. Also him telling you spreads the word that the customs there arent flexible in these matters.

I arrived in Sydney from BKK two years back. Two weeks earlier I'd been in India, so still had a pack of imodium in my carry on, very necessary when you travel there.

Spotting that I was a drug mule suspect all of a sudden (and my luggage, wallet etc were searched and swabbed) given imodium is taken by drug mules to stop them doing the biz en-route. Was asked what I had for dinner on the plane and who bought my ticket etc. Not complaining, just trying to say the funniest things sets customs off, and you just have to roll with it.

[Searat7]

I returned from a trip yesterday, at at the Customs green lines, the officials were putting every single piece of baggage (including carry-ons) from every single passenger through the x-ray machines. Many were being taken aside and opened. This includes myself, although I wasn't carrying anything suspicious or of interest to Customs. I have probably passed through Thai airport customs 100 times, and this is the first time I have seen this, and certainly the first time my baggage has been opened and inspected.

I'm wondering whether this was an isolated event, or is this a sign that Thai Customs have started examining all arrivals. Another airport "crack down" of some sort???

Would not be so bad if they would open some additional lines. Last night there was a line of about 100 people waiting to get through Customs. Only 1 Customs line open at one end of baggage hall. They should open more lines if they want to scan everyone's luggage.

[FRM-BKK]

I had a small box with 3 Christmas glass Baubles in this bag

Were they the brittle glass-type or the strengthened version and were they all one colour or a selection of three different shades?

Also did you pack any Christmas-Crackers?

Thanks.

Yes, they were of the super strength variety and in three different colours!

On reflection I don't think they match my sofa and my curtains. So, as you seem so interested Syd you are most welcome to them!

However, do keep in mind that the glitter might come off and ruin your pink carpet and NO, I am not a Gary Glitter!

Happy Christmas to you too!

Frm-Bkk

[Donnyboy]

I arrived in Sydney from BKK two years back. Two weeks earlier I'd been in India, so still had a pack of imodium in my carry on, very necessary when you travel there.

Spotting that I was a drug mule suspect all of a sudden (and my luggage, wallet etc were searched and swabbed) given imodium is taken by drug mules to stop them doing the biz en-route. Was asked what I had for dinner on the plane and who bought my ticket etc. Not complaining, just trying to say the funniest things sets customs off, and you just have to roll with it.

did you get the internal?

[samtam]

Interesting to read all of this. I too was asked to open my suitcase when I returned at the end of August, after it had passed through the scanner. I was not carrying anything illegal, nor any duty free. There were about 5 white-pant guys sitting around, and I think they were just bored. It's a pain to heave a large suitcase onto the scanner and then off the scanner onto a table, which is not adjacent, especially after a 16 hour flight. As it was the first time it happened to me in 6 years, I was surprised, but assumed it was probably part of the crackdown "revenge". I thought afterwards the mistake was probably going to an empty Green Channel, which I did because it was nearer to the exit where my driver was to meet me. I was travelling with my partner, who did not have to go through the same procedure. But judging by the comments, this may be the new "welcome" mat to LOS.

Just annoying, but their job, I suppose.

[patklang]

OMG

This is disgusting,how dare they check our luggage like every airport in the world.I most certainly will stop living in thailand and having my trips back to the uk.

This is jobs worth,one goes thru the green channel and someone stops you,the government are trying to stop tourists yet again

[patklang]

the post heading should be,

yippee the customs are actualy doing their job for the first time and will stop ANY illegal products entering thailand

[brownlegs]

I keep getting stopped after i have cleared customs! and arrivals! just before i leave the airport. Guys in plain clothes or dressed in Black. Take me to a screened off area near the cash machines and money exchange. One guys is a small rat faced guy in plain clothes, one an old man in a black uniform and one a foxy chick. I am sick of it and I think it is because i have a duty free shop bag with an arab airline name on it.............Obviously the amateur cigarette smugglers have been hitting the profits of the police and customs officials, the licensed criminals in Thailand.

I returned from a trip yesterday, at at the Customs green lines, the officials were putting every single piece of baggage (including carry-ons) from every single passenger through the x-ray machines. Many were being taken aside and opened. This includes myself, although I wasn't carrying anything suspicious or of interest to Customs. I have probably passed through Thai airport customs 100 times, and this is the first time I have seen this, and certainly the first time my baggage has been opened and inspected.

I'm wondering whether this was an isolated event, or is this a sign that Thai Customs have started examining all arrivals. Another airport "crack down" of some sort???

correct, I have been entering Bangkok Suvannabhumi almost every other month and every time I enter the green line I've been

asked to scan my personal luggage. Normally my flight arrives late night.

One thing for sure, Customs are looking for over allowances of Duty Free items such as Cigarettes & Liquor which yields a high

taxation rate (around 10x) the value if not declared. Another thing is the rampant illegal drug trafficking into Thailand.

One thing for sure, it is questionable if any confiscation of duty free items (fines) are legitimately processed by customs or

just plainly put into their own pockets?

[brownlegs]

If they wanna get rid of pest and diseases they should start with Suk Soi 5

New Zealand must be one of the most anal ones about all this. I have a friend in Bangkok who took a business trip to Auckland and found out the hard way. He frequently tossed an apple into his computer case when he went off to work here in BKK for a quick snack in case he worked through lunch or something. Unfortunately for him, he forgot that he still had one in his case when he flew down to Auckland. NZ Customs found it, he told them that he was really sorry and had simply forgotten about it, but NZ Customs still found it necessary to punish him with a NZ$150 fine for a single undeclared appl. Absolutely silly.

flip side: customs is trying to prevent unwanted pests and dieases coming thru that could potentially ruin its export economy

simple procedure is to declare it or dump it

if thats percieved to be anal, so be it.

Sure, nearly all countries have agricultural restrictions and for good reason. But this was one apple and obviously an honest mistake. Surely confiscating the apple and giving a stern warning would have done the job.

[brownlegs]

I keep getting stopped after i have cleared customs! and arrivals! just before i leave the airport. Guys in plain clothes or dressed in Black. Take me to a screened off area near the cash machines and money exchange. One guys is a small rat faced guy in plain clothes, one an old man in a black uniform and one a foxy chick. I am sick of it and I think it is because i have a duty free shop bag with an arab airline name on it.............Obviously the amateur cigarette smugglers have been hitting the profits of the police and customs officials, the licensed criminals in Thailand. Its the Philliphines for me next year

Interesting to read all of this. I too was asked to open my suitcase when I returned at the end of August, after it had passed through the scanner. I was not carrying anything illegal, nor any duty free. There were about 5 white-pant guys sitting around, and I think they were just bored. It's a pain to heave a large suitcase onto the scanner and then off the scanner onto a table, which is not adjacent, especially after a 16 hour flight. As it was the first time it happened to me in 6 years, I was surprised, but assumed it was probably part of the crackdown "revenge". I thought afterwards the mistake was probably going to an empty Green Channel, which I did because it was nearer to the exit where my driver was to meet me. I was travelling with my partner, who did not have to go through the same procedure. But judging by the comments, this may be the new "welcome" mat to LOS.

Just annoying, but their job, I suppose.

[smokie36]

the post heading should be,

yippee the customs are actualy doing their job for the first time and will stop ANY illegal products entering thailand

Yes but I'm in a terrible dilemma. Should I bring the Taylors 40yo vintage port or my favourite malt whisky (it aint cheap)....or just risk both?

[MB1]

Hi does anyone know whether I am able to get pirate DVDs through Singapore (Changi) airport? I heard of a couple of people recently who had theirs confiscated. cheers

Sry but LOL ....you are aware that PIRATE DVD's are illegal yeah?? Thus no surprise if customs confiscate them eh. Use yer noggin LOL

Yeah, you must buy your illegal dvd's in Thailand and you'll have no problems, but maybe you will when trying to take them out of the country on your way home, whats the bets that all the confiscated dvd's end up back in the supply chain..

[Tim207]

Judging by the amount of interest in this thread it seems a lot of people are slipping things past customs.

I always go to the red lane and declare my excess. The officers have always seemed amused/annoyed that I bother. They never charge me duty but I see it as an insurance policy. If someone hassles me about not paying duty after I declared the items I can refer them back to the people who couldn't be bothered with the paperwork. I did everything right. I always have a few kilos of pipe tobacco and never a problem.

[Boon Mee]

Judging by the amount of interest in this thread it seems a lot of people are slipping things past customs.

Gee, do you think so?

It's a bitch you can't buy more than one bottle at Duty Free there at Swampy but mai pen dry - Johnny Black is only a few more satang at Tescos anyhow.

[Zpete]

^yes I can confirm this. 1Liter is the max.

Good grief, the wife is not going to be pleased.

Just have to tell her good thing they never looked before

Thanks, britmaveric.

I thought it was one liter everywhere just not LOS

New Zealand will allow 3 x 1125ml spirits plus 6 bottles of wine, 1ctn smokes.

Being a kiwi tripping around a lot with a non drinking partner, my cabinet is well adorned.

[bifftastic]

New Zealand must be one of the most anal ones about all this. I have a friend in Bangkok who took a business trip to Auckland and found out the hard way. He frequently tossed an apple into his computer case when he went off to work here in BKK for a quick snack in case he worked through lunch or something. Unfortunately for him, he forgot that he still had one in his case when he flew down to Auckland. NZ Customs found it, he told them that he was really sorry and had simply forgotten about it, but NZ Customs still found it necessary to punish him with a NZ$150 fine for a single undeclared appl. Absolutely silly.

I was questioned for about 20 minutes in Auckland 'Agricultural Customs' about some mud on my boots. Apparently they have lost species of plants etc. in the past because the eco-system in NZ has developed in isolation that even the mud on your boots is screened! I think they were more worried about farm-based stuff and when I pointed out I lived in London, they relented somewhat but did take it very seriously! After all is said and done it's their country and if they think your mates apple is a problem they'll do him for it.

They also have 'drop bins' and many signs telling you to drop all foodstuffs in the bin before customs. Easy to forget you've got an apple or whatever stuffed in yer pocket tho.

[bubba]

Same procedure today: everyone going through the green lane had their bags x-rayed. I didn't see anyone get opened, but everyone was getting x-rayed. This has been the case with my last three entries over the last six weeks. Careful about those extra bottles!

[pbee]

Judging by the amount of interest in this thread it seems a lot of people are slipping things past customs.

I always go to the red lane and declare my excess. The officers have always seemed amused/annoyed that I bother. They never charge me duty but I see it as an insurance policy. If someone hassles me about not paying duty after I declared the items I can refer them back to the people who couldn't be bothered with the paperwork. I did everything right. I always have a few kilos of pipe tobacco and never a problem.

A few kilo,s ????? are you sure. You take 56lbs of pipe tobbaco how unusual.

[JimsKnight]

I have seen this before but put it down to newbies assuming they had to join the line for checking as I just walked straight past the queue and out. I'm sure people must have thought i was doing a runner

I've noticed this as well.

I arrived recently at Suvarn and not a word was said.

Having not a lot of baggage and waiting for the 'crowd' to buzz through usually means they have to deliberately single you out specifically to stop you.

No I wasn't carrying anything dodgy either.

[Crushdepth]

in the past because the eco-system in NZ has developed in isolation that even the mud on your boots is screened!

You can carry foot and mouth disease on your shoes, it will torch their livestock industries if they get it.

[h90]

I returned from a trip yesterday, at at the Customs green lines, the officials were putting every single piece of baggage (including carry-ons) from every single passenger through the x-ray machines. Many were being taken aside and opened. This includes myself, although I wasn't carrying anything suspicious or of interest to Customs. I have probably passed through Thai airport customs 100 times, and this is the first time I have seen this, and certainly the first time my baggage has been opened and inspected.

I'm wondering whether this was an isolated event, or is this a sign that Thai Customs have started examining all arrivals. Another airport "crack down" of some sort???

Happened to me as well. My wife "Thai" told them pretty tired and angry something very unfriendly, so they quickly closed my bag again without checking anything.

Got some story about problems importing sausage (small amount for personal use), but not sure if that's true.

[Scott]

I came through about 2 weeks ago. They put my suitcase through the scanner, but not my carry-on. Didn't open it, just scanned it and I was on my way. The delay was about 1/2 minute.

[pbee]

Judging by the amount of interest in this thread it seems a lot of people are slipping things past customs.

I always go to the red lane and declare my excess. The officers have always seemed amused/annoyed that I bother. They never charge me duty but I see it as an insurance policy. If someone hassles me about not paying duty after I declared the items I can refer them back to the people who couldn't be bothered with the paperwork. I did everything right. I always have a few kilos of pipe tobacco and never a problem.

A few kilo,s ????? are you sure. You take 56lbs of pipe tobbaco how unusual.

Sorry my maths went all to cock, conversion metric to impierial, 4.5 lbs obviously still a lot though.

[lomatopo]

Customs Information for Travelers

excerpt: 1. Dutiable items: items that you did not have when you left Thailand and their quantities are not reasonable

for personal use or/and the total value of belongings is more than 10,000 baht.

Not sure if the 10,000 THB limit is total belongings including those you left Thailand with, or just the delta (new stuff) you're bringing in?

[hughben]

i have been useing multiple b visa's for the last 4 year's to avail of 90 day visa run which i did at nong khai ,6 week's ago i was doing my annual trip home to renew it,a young female immgration officer,flicked through page's of my passport,the change of her expression spelt trouble,i was taken to a office where another female officer ,judgeing by the amount of badges,gold braiding on her uniform,plus the submissive attutide of the other one toward's her i knew she was no pen pusher.I was questioned at length about my travel's ,what product i was sourceing 'name of the thai export company,i was useing,invoice,tax returns and any other paperwork was requested,i suggested on my return i would comply.After a short laugh i was told the party is over.I am now blacklisted from multiple b and point of entry visa,i must apply to thai consul in my country.Then it was custom's turn any new item in my luggage proof of purchase was requested leather belt t- shirt's usual stuff was seized because i had no reciept's.All is not well for frang in LOS anymore,but it was good when it lasted.

Let me get this straight. You were leaving Thailand?

If you are leaving Thailand (or anywhere else) and haven't overstayed or broken the law they are usually happy to see you on your way.

The only issues at immigration like what happened to you are when you enter.

So you have to (or had to) return to your home country and apply again (which you do annually) and they said you must apply at a Thai counsel in your home country which you already do annually?

So what happened?

Now having items confiscated because you never had receipts?

I have never heard of this happening while leaving a country, never mind Thailand unless it is a duty free issue (theft usually).

So as you went through immigration to get to the gate, you had your bags checked and they took a look and saw some items in bags, asked for receipts and as you didn't have any, just took them?

So we need receipts whenever we buy something in Thailand?

Or was it when you arrived?

If that's the case do we need to carry receipts for every item we bring into Thailand?

Strange.