Sending A Gift To U.S.A.

[woralak]

I would like to send a small Buddha to the U.S.A. (Kansas),my son is living in Atchison (Kansas),he has asked me if i can send a small Buddha for my unborn Grandson,the birth is due in August.

Would this be ok as i dont want to be disrespectful to Thai culture,also what would be the best method to send this,cosidering this is only going to be an inexpensive gift,i dont want the postage cost exceeding the price of the gift (too much).

Thanks for any feedback.

[barrybankruad]

I would like to send a small Buddha to the U.S.A. (Kansas),my son is living in Atchison (Kansas),he has asked me if i can send a small Buddha for my unborn Grandson,the birth is due in August.

Would this be ok as i dont want to be disrespectful to Thai culture,also what would be the best method to send this,cosidering this is only going to be an inexpensive gift,i dont want the postage cost exceeding the price of the gift (too much).

Thanks for any feedback.

I understand that is illegal to export any images of the Buddha from Thailand whether they be antiques or recent.

[woralak]

I would like to send a small Buddha to the U.S.A. (Kansas),my son is living in Atchison (Kansas),he has asked me if i can send a small Buddha for my unborn Grandson,the birth is due in August.

Would this be ok as i dont want to be disrespectful to Thai culture,also what would be the best method to send this,cosidering this is only going to be an inexpensive gift,i dont want the postage cost exceeding the price of the gift (too much).

Thanks for any feedback.

I understand that is illegal to export any images of the Buddha from Thailand whether they be antiques or recent.

Point taken Thank You.

[WonnabeBiker]

Mass produced items are excluded IMHO. It's not like a national treasure being smuggled out of the country.

Get the padded envelope at the post office, 300 grams should cost about 250 Baht.

It's better to ask forgiveness than permission!

[Soutpeel]

Mass produced items are excluded IMHO. It's not like a national treasure being smuggled out of the country.

Get the padded envelope at the post office, 300 grams should cost about 250 Baht.

It's better to ask forgiveness than permission!

If it is in a sealed envelope, HTF will the post office know whether its a national treasure or not...

Mrs Soutpeel sent some "mass produced, non-national treasure" Buddha's to my relatives a few years ago in the post, and she got a phone call from the PO and told to come and pick them up, that she couldnt send them out the country.

So as with most things in Thailand, you can take a chance and you might get away with it and then again you may not..

[woralak]

I would like to send a small Buddha to the U.S.A. (Kansas),my son is living in Atchison (Kansas),he has asked me if i can send a small Buddha for my unborn Grandson,the birth is due in August.

Would this be ok as i dont want to be disrespectful to Thai culture,also what would be the best method to send this,cosidering this is only going to be an inexpensive gift,i dont want the postage cost exceeding the price of the gift (too much).

Thanks for any feedback.

I understand that is illegal to export any images of the Buddha from Thailand whether they be antiques or recent.

Point taken Thank You.

Mass produced items are excluded IMHO. It's not like a national treasure being smuggled out of the country.

Get the padded envelope at the post office, 300 grams should cost about 250 Baht.

It's better to ask forgiveness than permission!

The item i had in mind was priced at 550 bhat,i get the drift so thanks for your input.

[woralak]

Mass produced items are excluded IMHO. It's not like a national treasure being smuggled out of the country.

Get the padded envelope at the post office, 300 grams should cost about 250 Baht.

It's better to ask forgiveness than permission!

If it is in a sealed envelope, HTF will the post office know whether its a national treasure or not...

Mrs Soutpeel sent some "mass produced, non-national treasure" Buddha's to my relatives a few years ago in the post, and she got a phone call from the PO and told to come and pick them up, that she couldnt send them out the country.

So as with most things in Thailand, you can take a chance and you might get away with it and then again you may not..

My wife (Mrs Woralak) was told the same thing at the PO,pays ya money take the chance,still unsure what to do but thanks for the reply.

[harrry]

As far as I know itis not legal to send any images of buddah out of the country regarless of their lack of monetary value. It is however possible to get a permit to do so. Penalties can include imprisonment but if you chose to disrespect Thai law that is of course your choice.

[j0hnga1t]

I carried a small buddha (about 6 inches tall) on the plane with me since I couldn't check him in. the security at the airport saw him and it was fine. In 2006, I bought a buddha amulet from a shop at Don Meung...no problem. I would just mail it.

[LazyYogi]

I would send it in a box, maybe wrapped in a piece of Thai silk, which could then be placed under the Buddha on the shelf or small shrine where it will be displayed. Sending a statue (even a small one) in an envelope just seems strange to me.

[PoorSucker]

1. Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or related fragments, part of ancient monuments and prehistoric objects are forbidden to be taken out of the Kingdom. Newly cast Buddha images in complete condition can be exported for worship, cultural exchange or educational purposes with licenses issued by the Fine Arts Department. Not more than 5 pieces shall be allowed. (more information contact 0 2628 5032)

2. Reproduction of antiquities can also be exported with licenses.

3. Procedures to obtain a license for export of antiquities or Buddha images:

3.1 The following documents should be produced together with the application form:

two copies (3 x 5 inches) of front view photograph of the object(s)

a photocopy of the applicant's passport (in case of export of Buddha images the photocopy of passport must be certified as true copy by the related Embassy or Consulate in Thailand.)

3.2 Bring the object(s) and the documents to apply for a license at any of the following places:

Office of Archaeology and National Museums

81/1 Si Ayutthaya Road

Theves, Dusit, Bangkok

Tel. 0 2628 5032

Chiang Mai National Museum

Superhighway Road

Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai

Tel. (053) 221-308

Songkhla National Museum

13/1 Jana Road

Tambon Bohyang, Amphoe Muang, Songkhla

Tel. (074) 311-728, 311-881

Thalang National Museum

Tambon Si Sunthorn, Amphoe Thalang, Phuket

Tel. (076) 311-426

3.3 Please allow 4 working days for license issuing process.

[woralak]

Thanks for all the replies,after all the info i have received on this subject i have deciced not to send this gift for my to be Granson,its just more trouble than i thought it was going to be.

Thank you all very much for your very informative replies.