Had 150,000 Baht Taken From Me

[Kerryd]

A) It is definetly smuggling.

Ignorance is no excuse.

As far as I know, Ignorance of the law is not an acceptable defense in any country I've been to (only about 15 so far).

Anyone who has travelled in and out of their own country more than once should know that there are limits on what can be imported, and how much. If they have limits in blighty, gees, you think maybe other countries might have limits too ?

Even in this sandbox (Afghanistan), they have limits (but most of the x-ray machines are broken !). Of course, why smuggle smokes in here when you can buy them for 100-120 baht a carton ?

Taking them out of the country is a whole different question. I rarely take more than 2 cartons (1 open and 1 still sealed). Never been x-rayed at the airport, or searched/questioned by the customs people.

Screwing with the law in Thailand, you'll never come out on top. Lucky you could come up with that kind of cash, especially after "being driven down dead end roads by chaps with guns"

[Ajarn]

At the BKK Bank you can take out as much as you want from the ATM, but only at something like bt25,000 at a time... but no daily limit.. 

totster 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My Bangkok Bank ATM card has a daily withdrawal limit of 100,000 baht. Most machines will dispense 20,000 baht at a time, unless they are out of 1,000 notes (in which case they will dispense only 10,000 baht a time).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. Bangkok Bank normal (Bualuang) ATM card has a daily limit of 50,000 baht.

2. Bangkok Bank Bualuang Premier ATM card has a daily limit of 150,000 baht.

3. Bangkok Banks ATM will provide 25 bills be they 1,000 or 500 so you can get 25k or 12.5k per withdrawal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My Kasikorn account with 'international' ATM card has a 400,000 baht per day limit...

[ozzydom]

You do the crime ,You pay the fine

[MP5]

You do the crime ,You pay the fine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Custom Duties

Custom Duties:

Importation of all goods is subject to duties and taxes according to customs laws and other related laws

Duty free allowances for persons entering Thailand are:

Two hundred cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or equal weight of cigars

One litre of liquor

Personal effects for personal or professional use in appropriate quantity not exceeding 10,000 baht

Prohibited and Restricted Goods:

Import or export of certain goods is prohibited. Importing or exporting of Narcotics, Pornography, and some species of wildlife are strictly prohibited. Smugglers and Narcotic offenders will face severe penalty that may include death sentence.

License or permit from authorities are required for import and export of the following items

Item Authority:

Firearms, ammunitions, explosives Police Department

Buddha images, art works, antiques Fine Arts Department

Radio transceivers, and telecommunication equipment Post and Telegraph Department

Living plants and planting materials Department of Agriculture

Any animals and animal products Department of Livestock Development

Medicine, chemical products Office of Food and Drugs Administration

Currency:

Anyone can freely bring any amount of Thai or foreign currency into Thailand.

Anyone can take out any amount of foreign currency but may not take more than 50,000 baht of Thai currency. Anyone traveling to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam can take out up to 500,000 baht.

Customs Clearance:

Visitors are required to complete the “Customs Declaration Form” before going through customs.

Visitors with goods to declare should proceed to the “Goods to Declare” aisles.

Visitors who have nothing to declare should proceed to “Nothing to Declare ” aisles.

Accompanied dutiable items can be cleared upon arrival under following conditions:

Items are not of commercial values

Value of the items does not exceed 80,000 baht

Payment of customs duties and taxes are made in cash on arrival

Dutiable Items or Restricted Articles in Transit:

Any valuable, dutiable and restricted articles that are not intended for use in Thailand must be declared and deposited in “Customs Bond”. These items can be reclaimed upon departure.

A.T.A. Carnet:

All travelers bringing in goods subject to temporary import by using A.T.A. carnet document as guarantee are required to inform the customs officer at the “Good to Declare” aisle where additional paperwork may be required. They must also inform customs officer when departing and exporting the goods from Thailand.

All travelers (including Thai travelers) temporarily taking out goods using A.T.A. carnet document as guarantee are also required to inform customs officers for inspection before departing Thailand.

Warning

Failure to declare dutiable, restricted, or prohibited articles may lead to a fine up to four times the value of articles, in addition to duties and taxes. It may also lead to confiscation and/or imprisonment. Do not break the law. When in doubt, please ask a customs officer.

Source: Bangkok Airport Customs Office

Tel. (66-2) 535-1269, 535-1153, 535-1680,535-6463

You can be assured with this amount of money you are stating and you are breaking the law. Interpol are looking at you. It's a statutary requirement

The customs department have to report.

Your mug shot pal whether or not you know it is on the list.

I would suggest cease and desist while your ahead.

MP5 Out

Edited June 20, 2005 by MP5

[bino]

The reason i posted this topic was because i though it was a very excessive sum of money for a small amount of cigarretes

Small amount of cigarettes?

50 cartons = 500 packages. If you smoke a pack a day, this is almost 1.5 years supply. Was the OP arriving on a tourist visa?

After 6 months, the cigarettes would be dry and stale.

As another member mentioned, the sheer volume of 50 cartons would be huge- probably a stack about the same size as an average television.

Sounds like b*lls*it to me. If it is true, it seems pretty clear to me that the OP was bringing these in for sale. He didn't declare them and got caught.

Som nummm naa!!!

[the scouser]

I took out 400,000 thousand baht a month ago. 200,000 from my account and 200,000 from my wifes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

With or without your wife's knowledge?

Scouse.

[mrbojangles]

You do the crime ,You pay the fine

Personal effects for personal or professional use in appropriate quantity not exceeding 10,000 baht

Just for clarity. Am I in breach of this everytime I go through customs with my Laptop valued at about 50,000baht? I bring it to Thailand everytime and then take it home to the UK with me. Should i declare it or not?

As for the Op, you've gotta feel a bit of sympathy people. Fool, Muppet.. yes but I know what i would have been feeling going down dead end streets with men with guns. My Trousers would certainly be of no use any more, that's for sure

Lesson learnt though eh !!

Mr BoJ

[mike_l]

You do the crime ,You pay the fine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Personal effects for personal or professional use in appropriate quantity not exceeding 10,000 baht

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just for clarity. Am I in breach of this everytime I go through customs with my Laptop valued at about 50,000baht? I bring it to Thailand everytime and then take it home to the UK with me. Should i declare it or not?

As for the Op, you've gotta feel a bit of sympathy people. Fool, Muppet.. yes but I know what i would have been feeling going down dead end streets with men with guns. My Trousers would certainly be of no use any more, that's for sure

Lesson learnt though eh !!

Mr BoJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wondered about the laptop issue too. I've previously gone through the 'To Declare' channel at Don Muang and when they saw it was just a laptop they waved me through with a smile and a 'mai pen rai'. So I guess they don't mind too much about them The 10,000B limit they specifiy seems pretty weird to me, as surely just about any tourist arriving with a half decent camera and/or mobile phone is going to be above that limit anyway?

Edited June 20, 2005 by mike_l

[MP5]

You do the crime ,You pay the fine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Personal effects for personal or professional use in appropriate quantity not exceeding 10,000 baht

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just for clarity. Am I in breach of this everytime I go through customs with my Laptop valued at about 50,000baht? I bring it to Thailand everytime and then take it home to the UK with me. Should i declare it or not?

As for the Op, you've gotta feel a bit of sympathy people. Fool, Muppet.. yes but I know what i would have been feeling going down dead end streets with men with guns. My Trousers would certainly be of no use any more, that's for sure

Lesson learnt though eh !!

Mr BoJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Visitors who have nothing to declare should proceed to “Nothing to Declare ” aisles.

Accompanied dutiable items can be cleared upon arrival under following conditions:

Items are not of commercial values

Value of the items does not exceed 80,000 baht

I would imagine you would carry this as personal baggage!

[Nordlys]

[i wondered about the laptop issue too. I've previously gone through the 'To Declare' channel at Don Muang and when they saw it was just a laptop they waved me through with a smile and a 'mai pen rai'. So I guess they don't mind too much about them  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Was that a new laptop still in sealed box?

[udon]

Richard Head arrives LoS on Friday with 10,000 fags, plans to fly out 3 days later.

Pleads ignorance of law..........

Sounds like he had a regular buyer in LoS

Free fags for all the Customs boys, they must have been ROTFL at Richards stupidity.

PS........ that 150,000b, The MiB would have had a big party after that "donation".

Would love to see a scan of the paper given as a receipt.

Edited June 20, 2005 by udon

[Totster]

Would love to see a scan of the paper given as a receipt.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It would have tear marks on it from where the customs boys were crying with laughter..

totster

[MP5]

Would love to see a scan of the paper given as a receipt.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It would have tear marks on it from where the customs boys were crying with laughter..

totster

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I go back this is a customs offence and not metro police. There are different procedures.

I too would love to see the receipt?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Would love to see a scan of the paper given as a receipt.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It would have tear marks on it from where the customs boys were crying with laughter..

totster

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I go back this is a customs offence and not metro police. There are different procedures.

I too would love to see the receipt?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Receipt ... receipt ... what receipt ?

[Axel]

Thaks MP5 for the rules.

One thing, the writeen declaration is no logner necessary, however, the duty free amounts are posted in the luggage arrival area, with a remark to go through red, if in doubt.

The Baht 10,000 limit is there, I guess nobody would ever check, that's Euro 200.

How much costs a decent suit in Europe?

50 Cartons? Be happy you got away with the money paid. The quantity coms under 'commecial quantities' smuggled and as such would no longer be a offense to be settled by fine, but a criminal offence to the detriment of the Thai financial authorities. The criminal code has jail sentences for this.

[Drunkenpandamaneuver]

You just got Jacked!!

[Bluffer]

You know reading some of the replys on here i have come to realise how many real idiots there are on this board, there are many good people but some real fools as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And you are one of the biggest.

I travel regually to thailand and am lucky enough to be able to afford it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And your trips are funded through tobacco smuggling?

The reason i posted this topic was because i though it was a very excessive sum of money for a small amount of cigarretes, I have done this before and did not at all realise i was breaking any law here in thailand, last time i brought the cigarretes in cambodia and the customs man x-rayed them and let me through no problem so how am i supposed to know it was illegal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

err maybe because every country in the world has a customs limit? Ever read a guide book?

As for the people whom think i am a troll, i am not, i learnt a very expensive lesson and to the fool who says try taking them through heathrow i have done before and had them confiscated but not arrested. I am glad i was not thrown into bang wang and it seems i was in the wrong so as for now i will except it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So lets get this right. You are a serial smuggler across continents who has been caught before and you didnt know it was against the law in thailand?

Seems to be some peasants here as i can draw a lot of money out of atms and because you dont have the means of funds yourselves so you think i am a troll!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

not lack of means to funds just technical questions about thai accounts and atms.

........... Any how i was not looking for sympathy i just wanted to know that i was ripped off, to be completly honest i thought i was going to be murdered when i was being driven down dead end roads by chaps with guns.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a crim asking for sympathy about getting caught and being let off a jail sentence and criminal record.

As i have said i learnt a very expensive lesson and i still have my freedom and life, just a very lightened wallet! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would have thought being caught in the UK would have done that.

I bet you are a fisherman who has caught ( but lost ) a 30foot cod or other remarkably big fish arent you?

[Wolfie]

If your looking for Sympathy, its in the dictionary between Sh1t and Syphilis

[Tywais]

At the BKK Bank you can take out as much as you want from the ATM, but only at something like bt25,000 at a time... but no daily limit.. 

totster 

This is from the BKK bank web site:

"With a Bualuang ATM card you can withdraw or transfer to other Bangkok Bank accounts or transfer money to third party accounts at any Thai bank up to 50,000 Bt per day, or transfer unlimited amounts between your Bangkok Bank accounts registered with the same ATM card, and pay for your water, mobile phone and overseas telephone bills. "

This has changed from 20k several years ago, have not tried to get more then this recently. Just let the wife think it is still only 20k...

[dr_Pat_Pong]

If your looking for Sympathy, its in the dictionary between Sh1t and Syphilis

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[patricktan]

Is he writting us a joke? As I know we are only allow to bring in 100 to 200 stick at one time.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Is he writting us a joke? As I know we are only allow to bring in 100 to 200 stick at one time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It has to be a troll.

[MP5]

You just got Jacked!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I love this

One of the tasks of the Thai Customs Department is to investigate any breach or attempted breach of the statutory or regulatory provisions that we are responsible for enforcing. In this respect, national legislation confers upon Customs a wide range of investigatory powers in connection with Customs offences. Customs are empowered to, for example, examine goods and means of transport, require the production of documents, draw samples of goods, detain suspected imports/exports, and search persons and premises.

Generally Customs offences dealt with international trade of illicit commodities; the evasion of duties/taxes; commercial fraud such as under-or overvaluation, misdescription, false declaration of quantity/quality; and the violation of prohibitions or restrictions on imports and exports. The following is a list (non-exhaustive) of prohibited or restricted merchandises and infractions:

prohibited merchandises (e.g., controlled substances, pornography, counterfeit goods, etc.);

restricted merchandises (e.g., restrictions imposed by textile quota agreements, the Ministry of Commerce, Food and Drug Administration, etc.);

undeclared, unreported or smuggled merchandise (e.g., goods undeclared by passengers entering Thailand, unreported currency over Baht 50,000, etc.);

goods which aid or facilitate the illegal importation of merchandise (e.g.,conveyances or other merchandise used to hide or conceal illegal goods)

Drugs and narcotics;

wildlife and flora smuggling; and

firearms and offensive weapons.

The investigation and suppression of Customs-related offences are carried out to protect the nation's revenue; to control, regulate, and facilitate the movement of carriers, people, and commodities between Thailand and other nations; to protect the Thai consumers and the environment against the introduction of hazardous or noxious products into Thailand; to protect domestic industry against unfair foreign competition; to detect, interdict, and investigate smuggling and other illegal practices aimed at illegally importing narcotics, drugs, contraband or other prohibited articles into Thailand; and to detect, interdict, and investigate illegal international trafficking of arms, ammunition and currency.

The Customs units directly responsible for this significant mission are the enforcement units embedded in relevant Customs Bureau/Offices and the Investigation and Suppression Bureau. These enforcement units investigate and prosecute both individuals and organizations engaged in Customs offences. In addition, Customs enforcement also includes the investigation of offences that have been committed, or are suspected of being committed against Customs and related laws covering the movement of goods across the border.

In this connection, various preventive measures have been introduced to combat against and provide disincentive to Customs offences. Some major measures implemented so far include:

Information Exchange: Customs usually exchanges Customs-related offences information with other agencies at both the regional and national levels.

Procedural Review: Given that regular procedural reviews are important, Customs periodically alters its practices to meet new challenges created by offenders.

MOU Customs always pursues agreements with relevant entities to seek co-operation in the Customs effort against offences.

Public Information: Information about Customs laws and practices is provided to public with the objective to create awareness and compliance to Customs laws and regulations among Customs clients. Public information takes various forms and is disseminated in a variety of media: newspaper, TV and radio, newsletter, magazine, etc.

Successful Prosecutions: Prosecution success which involves goods of considerable value and quantity is usually announced to public via newspaper, TV and radio.

Risk Assessment, Intelligence Analysis and Targeting: Various sources of information e.g. trade statistics, trade patterns, suspected operator profiles, etc. are evaluated and analyzed in-depth to carry out effective Customs controls.

Controls and Audits: Physical inspection programme for imports/exports are carried out before the release of cargo from Customs custody for control purposes. Moreover, Good Declarations and all supporting documents are also subject to post clearance audit to prevent and detect Customs offence

Customs-Related Information for Traveler

I. Introduction

The Thai Customs Department is the national frontline against the smuggling of illegal drugs and other prohibited and restricted goods. Customs has discovered large amount of illegal drugs in accompanied baggage and on passengers themselves. However, we realize that very few travelers actually violate the law, but we still need to examine the baggage and/or carry out personal search, which by law we are allowed to do so.

To facilitate and expedite the clearance of passengers, the International Airport Customs Offices all over the country provide Customs inspectors to assist passengers at both the “Red and Green Channels”.

Green Channel: Inbound passengers with nothing to declare walk through the “Nothing to Declare” exit (Green Channel); or

Red Channel: Inbound passengers with something to declare e.g. dutiable items, prohibited/restricted goods, etc. or you are unsure which exit to use go to the "Goods to Declare" exit (Red Channel).

If you need help clearing Customs, please do not hesitate to ask the Customs inspectors for assistance.

II Import Declarations

Before passengers arrive in Thailand, you will receive a “Passenger Declaration Form (Form No. 211). You must complete the Form and submit it to Customs officials while walking through the Red/Green Channels. Passengers with nothing to declare (no dutiable items, no prohibited/restricted goods) tick þ in the section “Nothing to Declare” of the Form No.211 while those bringing in dutiable items, prohibited/restricted goods or unsure which section to declare tick þ in the section “Goods to Declare” of the Form No. 211.

Duty Payment

If you are bringing back with you an item you did not have it when you left Thailand and/or items with total combined value more than Baht 10,000, these items are subject to import taxes and duties. A flat rate of duty will be applied on the dutiable items provided that:

· The dutiable items are intended for personal use;

· They are at a reasonable quantity and not intended for commercial use, business, or trade purposes;

· The total value is not exceeding 80,000 Baht; and

· Passengers are able to pay taxes and duties in cash on the date of arrival.

If the passengers fail to comply any of the above-mentioned criteria and conditions, the dutiable items will be sent to a warehouse for a formal entry process. The goods are held under Customs control until a formal entry process has been completed. You will not be able to take the goods with you from the airport.

Duty Free Allowance

The duty free allowance will be applied to accompanied personal effects up to Bath 10,000 worth if i) the items are intended for your own personal or professional uses; ii) the quantity are reasonable; and iii) the items are not subject to prohibition or restriction.

However, there are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars and smoking tobacco to which you may include in your duty free personal exemption as follows:

· 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or smoking tobacco

· 1 litre of spirituous liquor.

Personal effects do not include motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts regardless of the length of time used and owned.

Accompanied Luggage Depository

If you are a transit passenger with accompanied luggage and you do not want to clear Customs, you are allowed to deposit your accompanied items at a Customs Bond under the following criteria:

· Passengers have an air ticket to the third country available;

· The deposit duration is not more than 2 months;

· The deposited items are not prohibited/restricted goods; and

· There is no suspect of Customs offences , smuggling , or prohibition / restriction violation.

When the items are deposited at the Customs Bond at the Airport, Customs officials will issue a Deposit Form (Form 466) with two duplicates. The original copy is given to passengers. The first duplicate is affixed to the deposited items while the second one is affixed to the Deposit Form Counterfoil.

A daily fee at the following rates is charged for goods deposited in the Customs Bond:

If the gross weight per package

(a) not exceeding 20 kgs. 40 Baht/package/day

( exceeding 20 kgs. but not

exceeding 40 kgs. 80 Baht/package/day

© exceeding 40 kgs. 150 Baht/package/day

Fractions of one day are rounded as one day.

III Export Declarations

Outbound Passengers with Expensive Items Intended for Re-Importation: If you are departing Thailand with certain items e.g. cameras, video cameras, laptop computers, tape recorders, etc. and you are intended to bring them back in Thailand, register these items- as long as they have serial numbers or other unique, permanent, marking items- to Customs at the departure airport after checking in and receiving a boarding pass. The Customs officials will record the exportation of such personal items intending for re-importation. All items registered will be allowed duty free entry when you return to Thailand.

Outbound Passengers with Jewelry: Outbound passengers carrying jewelry intended for export themselves are required to complete Customs formalities before their departure at the Customs Airport Office.

Outbound Passengers with Goods under Tax/Duty Drawback Scheme: Outbound passengers carrying export goods under tax and duty compensation/drawback scheme or with “Re-Importation Certificates” are required to complete formal Customs formalities before their departure at the Customs Airport Office.

It is illegal to take or send out of Thailand restricted and/or prohibited items e.g. illegal drugs, faked notes and coins, obscene items, pornography etc. Customs will seize any of restricted/prohibited items. If outbound passengers convict any of these offences, you will be subject to fine and imprisonment.

IV Visitor’s VAT Refund

Travelers will be qualified for a VAT Refund if you meet the following conditions:

· You are a non-Thai resident and not staying in Thailand up to 180 days in a current tax year;

· You are not a pilot or a cabin crews of any airline departing Thailand; and

· You leave Thailand via an international airport.

Proof of export is required if you wish to claim a refund of the tax paid on eligible goods. To claim for a VAT refund, you should, first of all, contact Customs officials at the airport before checking in. The following documents must be available for inspection by Customs officials:

· A passport;

· VAT Refund Application Form (VAT Form 10);

· An original receipt; and

· Goods that go with the original receipts.

If the declarations for VAT refund are correct, Customs officials will sign and stamp the VAT Refund Application Form, affix a sticker to the luggage containing the eligible goods, and return every thing to you. You need to present the VAT Application Form approved by Customs to the Revenue officials after clearing immigration for a VAT refund. If you claim VAT refunds for small and expensive items e.g. jewelry, gold, watches, glasses, pens, etc., please have these items available for inspection at the VAT Refund Office again.

Also please allow extra time at the airport to have your application stamped and eligible goods verified, keeping in mind that other passengers will also requesting these services. You should arrive at the airport even earlier than the time recommended by your airline to be at your boarding gate on time.

V Currencies

Inbound Passengers: Inbound passengers are allowed to bring in unlimited amount of foreign and Thai currencies.

Outbound passengers: Unlimited amount of foreign currencies are permitted to carry out of Thailand. However, the amount of Baht 50,000 or more in Thai currency must be reported on departure, except those traveling to Lao PDR., Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are allowed to take out Thai currency not exceeding 500,000 Baht.

VI ATA Carnets

The ATA Carnet allows the temporary import of exhibition and advertising materials, commercial samples, and scientific equipment from a signatory to the Conventions governing ATA Carnets into Thailand. As long as the conditions for the use of a Carnet are observed, its use permits temporary importation without payment of duty and with the minimum of restrictions.

The ATA Carnet holders arriving in Thailand should contact Customs officers at the Red Channel upon their arrival. Customs formalities and clearance of goods under ATA Carnets are to be processed and completed at the airport.

At the point of departure, the ATA Carnet holders are required to complete a re-exportation form, consisting of Re-Exportation Counterfoil and Re-Exportation Voucher, and submit them together with the re-exported goods to the Customs officials for verification. The Re-Exportation Counterfoil will have to be retained by the ATA Carnet holder while the Re-Exportation Voucher will be retained by Customs at the point of departure.

Carnets may also be obtained for temporary duty/tax free export of goods from Thailand to a foreign country. Please contact the International Chamber of Commerce for application details.

VII Other Travel-Related Information

If you have any questions about Customs procedures, requirements, or policies regarding travelers, or you have a complaint about treatment you have received from Customs inspectors or about your Customs processing, please contact the nearest Customs Offices at the departure/arrival airport

[patricktan]

The reason i posted this topic was because i though it was a very excessive sum of money for a small amount of cigarretes, I have done this before and did not at all realise i was breaking any law here in thailand, last time i brought the cigarretes in cambodia and the customs man x-rayed them and let me through no problem so how am i supposed to know it was illegal.

He should try to bring in 50 kg of drugs and tell us,how am i supposed to know it was illegal.

[bkkexplorer]

I am currently a little bemused with the customs here in thailand. I returned from the phils yesterday with my usuall 50 cartons of cigarretes of malbrough lights. I have been asked to put my bag through the x-ray which i have done before with exactly the same amount of cigs in, only this time they tell me i am under arrest for prohitited goods. I am then held in the airport for around 3 hours until they take me to some kind of big customs building i believe it was in bangkok, I am now a little worried as to what the ###### is going on. After some chap has told me that i am liable to pay 3980 baht per carton for fine i am even more shocked. The men then told me if i do not pay i will be taken to prison and wait until the judge can see me monday, this is friday evening so what am i to do, they take me with 4 men no uniforms in a car around to atm machines until i cannot draw any more out, they wanted over 200,000 but i could not get so they took 149,625, this was out rageous in my eyes, i have brought cigs before and they have never said anything. so a small fine would of been enough for me to realise not to do again. Now i know this must be a right long shot but is there anyway i can get any kind of money back, i am going back to england monday and all i have is a silly receipt that i cannot even read as its in thia, the british embassy was closed so there was not a lot i could do. Any comments/opinions welcome.

One peed off brit in bkk

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

alesypalsy,

Please tell us the point of making up this ridiculous story??? And if I'm wrong, sorry to say, I think you deserve what you got...

[MP5]

I am currently a little bemused with the customs here in thailand. I returned from the phils yesterday with my usuall 50 cartons of cigarretes of malbrough lights. I have been asked to put my bag through the x-ray which i have done before with exactly the same amount of cigs in, only this time they tell me i am under arrest for prohitited goods. I am then held in the airport for around 3 hours until they take me to some kind of big customs building i believe it was in bangkok, I am now a little worried as to what the ###### is going on. After some chap has told me that i am liable to pay 3980 baht per carton for fine i am even more shocked. The men then told me if i do not pay i will be taken to prison and wait until the judge can see me monday, this is friday evening so what am i to do, they take me with 4 men no uniforms in a car around to atm machines until i cannot draw any more out, they wanted over 200,000 but i could not get so they took 149,625, this was out rageous in my eyes, i have brought cigs before and they have never said anything. so a small fine would of been enough for me to realise not to do again. Now i know this must be a right long shot but is there anyway i can get any kind of money back, i am going back to england monday and all i have is a silly receipt that i cannot even read as its in thia, the british embassy was closed so there was not a lot i could do. Any comments/opinions welcome.

One peed off brit in bkk

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

alesypalsy,

Please tell us the point of making up this ridiculous story??? And if I'm wrong, sorry to say, I think you deserve what you got...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The British Embassy in Bangkok which is open on an emergency 24 hour basis. the telephone number in Thailand is 02 305 8333.

I rest my case again & why not call the bluff wait until Monday.

[ayakiawe]

Hey bringing that much toxic trash in any country they should have locked you up for life!

[mrbojangles]

A cigarette is a pinch of Tobacco, wrapped in paper, fire at one end, fool at the other!! In this case 1x 200 x 50 = 10,000 a very Large fool

Mr BoJ

[FATBOYTHAI]

Maybe smuggling smokes isn't your forte. Maybe suckin' 'baccy into your lungs ain't the way to go. Maybe some people have no sympathy for you ######ing up and getting caught. Good luck in stir. Clench your buttcheeks. Don't forge to exhale slowly.

[Sphere]

One peed off brit in bkk

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Consider yourself lucky that you're not at this very moment sharing a bunk with the cough-syrup smuggler.