Knives

[tallboy]

I have been to LOS twice and going back with the intent of looking around for a place to retire. I have carried a Leatherman multi-tool that has a three inch knife blade in a sheath on my belt for most of my adult life. I feel naked without my Leatherman. Is it legal to carry this in LOS?

[IanForbes]

I don't see why not. I've carried knives all my life and most days when I am in Thailand I have one. You can openly buy switchblade knives in any market center in Thailand. Our paranoid authorities in Canada don't allow switchblade knives. Only thieves, murderers and crooks are allowed to carry weapons in Canada. Oh, and the thugs that pass themselves off as police in Canada.

[angiud]

I always bring my Leatherman on my belt when I'm going to take pictures in the jungle or similar.

[Semper]

Don't bring it in your hand luggage though. It will be confiscated.

[h90]

not at the airport, not in the airplane, else no problem.

[Semper]

not at the airport, not in the airplane, else no problem.

In the checked luggage it should be ok.

[payak]

Are you carrying it for a purpose, if not why carry it.

[Semper]

Are you carrying it for a purpose, if not why carry it.

It's a 'man' thing.

[craigt3365]

Even though switchblades are openly sold, doesn't mean they are legal. Get caught with one and it would be a big deal. Depends on the cop and the particular circumstances. For customs, weapons are a big deal and if caught it could be a real mess. Weapons need to be declared.

I just saw this post in another thread:

Section 371 of the Thai Criminal Code prohibits openly carrying arms to a public place or carrying them to a gathering of people assembled for any purpose. One can be arrested and convicted with a small fine for this, and the weapon confiscated. The word "arms" in section 371 includes all weapons such as hunting knives, clubs, nightsticks, machetes and firearms. It also includes anything not necessarily intended to be used as a weapon, but that can be, such as a golf club or a rolling pin.

There is no law that would prevent you from having them in the home and using them as protection from intruders. Please remember, though, that there are limits on how these weapons can be used, even in the home. Section 371 does allow for carrying concealed arms in public places with "reasonable cause", which would be defined on a case-by-case basis. This is, however, a very limited exception. Examples of this reasonable cause would be:Transporting arms to be used for sport;keeping arms in the car while transporting large amounts of cash;arms transported along with other household goods as part of the process of moving.

As with many things here, it depends on the circumstances and the cop.

[IanForbes]

Thanks for the additional information, Craig. It goes without saying that you don't have any sort of weapon in your carry-on luggage. Even toothpaste is considered a threat.

To me a knife is just a tool used for many applications. Personal safety is the last thing of what I might need a knife for. I prefer a small knife to a big one because I only carry it in my pants pocket. The multi-tools are great in Thailand where you might need it to tighten a screw, open a bottle, cut tape or rope, or even cut a sandwich in half, I always have one when I'm fishing.

[craigt3365]

Thanks for the additional information, Craig. It goes without saying that you don't have any sort of weapon in your carry-on luggage. Even toothpaste is considered a threat.

To me a knife is just a tool used for many applications. Personal safety is the last thing of what I might need a knife for. I prefer a small knife to a big one because I only carry it in my pants pocket. The multi-tools are great in Thailand where you might need it to tighten a screw, open a bottle, cut tape or rope, or even cut a sandwich in half, I always have one when I'm fishing.

It's not just carry on, it's checked luggage also. Weapons have to be declared in customs. As you know, they do scan bags upon exit. And as you know, it can be "up to them" as to the consequences. I doubt a small knife would draw any attention, but would hate to get caught with a larger one.

[Lantern]

Have brought my Swiss Army Knife over every trip, not been a problem yet.

Must go in checked luggage though.

[h90]

not at the airport, not in the airplane, else no problem.

In the checked luggage it should be ok.

yes of course......I meant not on the body on the airport, as it can be used to torture the pilot :-)

[tfc]

They've started letting me bring nail clippers when flying through Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia recently. 6 times I've shown them at customs and they just wave me through. In Australia they had me throw them away.