Bringing Tools Into Thailand

[chris1dna]

I wish to bring an bunch of handtools with me on an upcoming trip in dec. The Monks at the temple I stayed in up in Sakon Nakhon only had the very minimum set and they were I the absolute cheapest kind. It's a fairly large forest temple near the Lao border and would like to bring them some quality American made handtools. Whatever I an fit into a checked suitcase. Basics set with some cordless dewalt drill and reciprocating saw with charger and converter. Is this allowed or will customs take me over good when I go thru immigration desk at swampy? I still have my yellow monk although Im no longer ordained. Will this help in explaining if necessary the validity of my baggage. As in not for resale? Or is uying these items new as they go on sale. I work daily in the trades at home and helping these monks perform amazing construction and repair tasks during my last stay was shall we say..interesting. I just want to donate this whole lot to them as they would really get a LOT of use. Your thoughts Oh wise TV members?

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[mike123ca]

First thing that pops in my head is once the thai border guards see the tools they will also ask if you are going to use them

and do you have a work permit.

You might be better off mailing them to the wat.

[Chittychangchang]

Or you could box them up with wrapping paper on and put a Thai language gift lable on the packaging.

[Langsuan Man]

In all the years of traveling into Thailand I have never had my luggage checked by Customs upon entering the Kingdom and as far as I know, these tools would be your "personal effects" and not subject to duty in any case. Now if you are bringing in 100 screwdrivers it could be construed and bringing them in for re-sale which would be a no no

If you are that uncomfortable I would suggest you get a letter in Thai from the Abbot asking for your "donation" of tools and I really don't think that you will have any trouble

[Bagwan]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to purchase tools in Thailand? I sold everything when I left the UK and after experiencing some typically Thai handiwork decided that in future I would take on tasks myself. A complete set of Bosch machine tools cost me a fraction of the UK price as did good quality hand tools such as those manufactured by Stanley.

[supaprik]

having gone through customs here 100 plus times I have NEVER been checked either having said that I would not risk any dramas, if you bring in new tools ( boxed ) you may be charged import duties regardless of there intended use, if you remove the tools from their packaging and "rough" them up a bit they are therefore used and depending on the overall second hand value even if searched you SHOULD and I say should be ok. You are correct about quality tools here in Thailand, if and where you can find them they are around 2 times the price.. Good luck and well done for you thoughtful gifts...

[Spoonman]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to purchase tools in Thailand? I sold everything when I left the UK and after experiencing some typically Thai handiwork decided that in future I would take on tasks myself. A complete set of Bosch machine tools cost me a fraction of the UK price as did good quality hand tools such as those manufactured by Stanley.

Tools here are low grade crap, Iver never had an issue bringing tools in my luggage but I would ask the monks to sell there ipads and buy their own before I gave them any.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Unlikely that customs will look, but making them look secondhand AND wrapping them as gifts AND keeping the receipts will minimize the cost if it happens.

Quality tools are available here but cost as much or more as back home.

Perfectly serviceable tools are much much cheaper, they just don't last as long.

But are you sure the temple will actually be good caretakers of your lovingly donated set of top-notch imported tools while you're away? You may well be disappointed but I don't know.

Personally I'd buy them here.

[KhunBENQ]

Personally I'd buy them here.

Agree perfectly with your post.

Quality is available for a price.

The big home mart chains (Home Hub, Home Prom Global etc.) are in all provincial capitals.

I would not expect any problems with Thai customs.

But do you really want to take the heavy weight burden of tools in the baggage?

I would not.

[h90]

having gone through customs here 100 plus times I have NEVER been checked either having said that I would not risk any dramas, if you bring in new tools ( boxed ) you may be charged import duties regardless of there intended use, if you remove the tools from their packaging and "rough" them up a bit they are therefore used and depending on the overall second hand value even if searched you SHOULD and I say should be ok. You are correct about quality tools here in Thailand, if and where you can find them they are around 2 times the price.. Good luck and well done for you thoughtful gifts...

Twice I came at the same time as a large group of Chinese and customs checked EVERY laguage. First XRay and than let most (including me and I am not Chinese) open it and looked.

[daftpunker]

I always bring my tool to thailand.

[marstons]

Never been checked myself and again been through immigration here well over 100 tmes, 2 years ago i bought all my tolls from UK here as they either came with me or got binned. I had the room in baggage so brough them over.

As to wether they will be mainteained and taken care of to make it worth your while bringing them over is of course upto you.

[kennedy]

I'd bring the hand tools, and buy the power tools here.I know some will disagree, but maktec has worked fine for me.

[impulse]

If you're in Bangkok, head down to Chinatown and pick up all the tools you'll need.

Unless you have some premium flight status, you may end up paying more for the baggage than for the tools. I paid about $5 per pound for my last excess baggage fee from China to BKK.

Chinatown has everything from popular brands like DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, etc. They're mostly made in China now anyway, regardless of where you buy them. For wrenches, hammers and screwdrivers, you have to do a little eyeball inspections, but I have had good luck with the tools I have bought there.

I highly recommend Chinese power tools with the name brand "Ken". I have used them for over 10 years in China and never had one fail on me. In fact, I'll choose a Ken over a DeWalt or Bosch- mostly on price as I judge performance to be similar..

For Chinese hand tools, I like a brand called Endura. Again, never had a problem with them.

I'm typing this from China BTW, back to BKK this weekend.

[tim armstrong]

If you're attached to your own special tools and favourite screwdrivers leave them at home. Tools have a habit of disappearing in Thailand unless you really lock them up or sleep with them. Tools also love to be in the rain here, or left open, ie gardening shears, pliers and seccateurs. Gardening tools especially like to be left in the garden 24/7. Why not ?Tools especially like to be lost, especially power tools like grinders. When you do find them you will notice that they are worn down to the wire, and magically no-one borrowed them. Your tools are also everyone's tools, even if they don't know how to use them. Tools for cutting anything are always sharpened with a grinder, even if the edge becomes thin and serrated. The idea of a thin second bevel is unknown in Thailand.

Cynical ? well yes just a bit - about tools. But the good news is that in many regional cities there seems to be an explosion of HomePros and Global stores which are large and well stocked with reasonable quality stuff, - except builders barrows, with the inflated tyre. But good luck with your mission.

Just remembered, never ever forget to remove your Opinel pocket knife from the hand luggage.! My last one I had for 10 years was quickly seized. Never saw it again. The new ones are not the same. One last thought, - go to some weekend markets, you can occasionally find good old tools at them.

[h90]

If you're in Bangkok, head down to Chinatown and pick up all the tools you'll need.

Unless you have some premium flight status, you may end up paying more for the baggage than for the tools. I paid about $5 per pound for my last excess baggage fee from China to BKK.

Chinatown has everything from popular brands like DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, etc. They're mostly made in China now anyway, regardless of where you buy them. For wrenches, hammers and screwdrivers, you have to do a little eyeball inspections, but I have had good luck with the tools I have bought there.

I highly recommend Chinese power tools with the name brand "Ken". I have used them for over 10 years in China and never had one fail on me. In fact, I'll choose a Ken over a DeWalt or Bosch- mostly on price as I judge performance to be similar..

For Chinese hand tools, I like a brand called Endura. Again, never had a problem with them.

I'm typing this from China BTW, back to BKK this weekend.

I like Hazet and they are in Thailand approx. double of the price as in Germany.

[mrtoad]

There are plenty of foreign tools I. Thailand.

[chris1dna]

Thank you every one for the great tips. I already have nearly all the tools already so I will bring them with me. I will Contact the Luang Pa for the letter. Sounds like the most likely to succeed idea in my situation.

As an aside. I went out locally searching for quality tools and saw nothing but garbage available in the local hardware stores. Sawangdangding to be exact. Taking the time to search around Bangkok and then haul them to the temple 600 kilometers north east just doesnt sound practical since I already have them now.

Offering used dirty tools instead of new ones is not optimal. ( according to my wife).

The apple iPad monk just doesn't exist in the forest temples where I'm going. They have an old desktop that the Abbot uses and that's it.

I have a two bag 61lb each limit on my flights. I'll be careful to check the weight before departure.

Again everybody. Thank you so much.

Some great advice that I can actually use and it's very much appreciated.

Cheers

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[chris1dna]

Correction. I had, two years ago, gone to Sawangdangding to look for tools. Just garbage tools found.

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