Rules On Alcahol Purchase On Arrival

[dman]

Hi Gent and Ladies

I am arriving in Bangkok on a Thai Airways flight from Manila on Friday afternoon and have a connecting flight (3 hours later) on Thai Airways to Chiang Rai. Question. Would like to check bags in Manila through to Chiang Rai and transit BKK clearing customs at Chiang Rai. If I do this will I be able to buy Alcahol at BKK Duty Free and hand carry it on the domestic flight to Chiang Rai. I have three hours between flights so I have time to clear immigration/customs in BKK, purchase Alcahol at Duty Free, pack it in my luggage and check at domestic counter for flight to Chiang Rai. Would rather not have to clear customs in BKK but will if I have to in order to get a few bottles of scotch. Cheers and thanks in advance if someone can advise.

DD

[theoldgit]

I didn't think that Chaing Rai was an International Airport, if that's the case then you would need to complete Immigration and Customs formalities in Bangkok - I don't know for sure though.

When you talk about a few bottles of Scotch, how many are travelling? You are only allowed to bring one litre of alcohol into Thailand per person, and that would include any spirits purchased on arrival.

[dezy1801]

You can buy Duty free before you go through customs but you can only buy one litre per person as they ask for your passport when you buy. Once through the customs I have not seen any places you could buy whisky maybe Thai whisky but not Scotch whisky.

[PattayaParent]

^ 7 - 11?

[bubba]

Chiang Mai is an international airport. As with the other international airports, you will clear immigration in Bangkok, but your bags will be checked onward to Chiang Rai and you will clear customs there.

You can only buy duty free in the area before immigration and the domestic terminal. I've only actually done this once on a connection to Chiang Mai, so maybe someone else can help. I recall that there was an metal detector and x-ray machine for carry ons before you entered the domestic area, so you may not be able to buy alcohol at BKK Duty Free and carry it onwards with you to Chiang Rai.

[sawadeeken]

I am quite sure you CAN'T carry alcohol on domestic flights. You better go out and pack it in the checked bags. You are 'technically' only allowed One litre, so remember - those customs folk just love scotch (and foreign cigarettes), so don't get any more than you care to loose. And don't fight with them if they try to take it - YOU will lose. Best approach would be to try to give them a couple for allowing you to keep a couple - 'whatever works'............ And 'good luck'

[finnomick1]

I've bought duty free at BKK. Luckily I only bought the one litre allowed when entering Thailand because I was stopped by Customs and Excise officers OUTSIDE their area and in the arrivals hall when I had already met the wife along with our taxi driver. I was too knackered to remonstrate with them that they should have stopped me inside the customs area and was their ID legitimate -- they could have been hustlers ! When they only found the one litre, they let me proceed. I have seen the same thing happen while waiting for a friend to arrive from the UK. A group of about 10 people who were all carrying King duty free carrier bags were all stopped and searched, again in the arrivals hall. Customs and Excise must have a camera in the duty free shop so they know who to stop. Stinks, but then, T.I.T.

[PattayaParent]

^Customs and Excise officers in UK have the authority to stop you anywhere in the country and are empowered to enter your home without a search warrant.

I wouldn't be surprised if other countries like Thailand have similar powers.

[whybother]

Chiang Mai is an international airport. As with the other international airports, you will clear immigration in Bangkok, but your bags will be checked onward to Chiang Rai and you will clear customs there.

You can only buy duty free in the area before immigration and the domestic terminal. I've only actually done this once on a connection to Chiang Mai, so maybe someone else can help. I recall that there was an metal detector and x-ray machine for carry ons before you entered the domestic area, so you may not be able to buy alcohol at BKK Duty Free and carry it onwards with you to Chiang Rai.

There is a little duty free kiosk in the international baggage claim area.

That doesn't help if you're transiting of course.

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[JusMe]

I am quite sure you CAN'T carry alcohol on domestic flights.

I don't think it's restricted to alcohol, any liquid at all. More than a few ml and it's pour it down the drain (or give it to the security guys who say they'll do that).

Most airlines now prevent almost any liquid being carried on in the carry-on bag. Maybe if you could convince the shop to deliver the bottle to the plane and put it onboard for you. But I doubt that.