Hazard For Brits Returning To UK

[chiang mai]

Confused now!! Thought it was immigration staff that checked your bags, not HMRC Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Customs (and Excise) check bags and content, Borders or Immigration check passports and people.

HMRC = Her Majesties Revenue and Customs.

[manarak]

manark, you missed the point of my mentioning of the prince. I my opinion, people who live their life using these principles are amoral and unscrupulous. If people believe that life is a game of king of the hill then it doesn't say much for the evolution of the human race. I don't belong to the camp that advocates that one should live in the reality of that is the way of the world and you should adjust to it. I believe we should stand against this philosophy and have ideals that benefit all people and improve the human condition. I know that many would say that I am tilting at windmills but that is my choice. Just my 2 bahts worth and not meant to start an argument, although I admit that this is thaivisa and a weak hope.

then you need to read the prince again and ask yourself:

if you had been born into one of the ruling families in Florence or another territory and wanted to be a good prince to your subjects - what would I need to do to prevent the other evil rival princes from taking over my lands and enslaving my people?

The mechanisms described in the prince can be described as "necessary evils". If one refuses to play the hard game, then the players just eat him. No choice there.

[manarak]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9892897-38.html

An interesting topic from Cnet on computers and HMRC & US Border patrol regarding computers.

Maybe the OP does not really have a leg to stand on with his complaint as research into HMRC says they can take your laptop for an unlimited time. I like the bit where they can scan the computer as you wait to see what is actually on the HD.

Is it over the top? That depends on your perspective. Porn, paedo's, terrorists. Where do you draw the line? If you look suspicious to HMRC you will be checked and it seems there is little you can do about it, unless you encrypt your files, as discussed in the link I posted.

Encrypting your files will just cause your stuff to get seized and kept until you either provide the password or they decrypt it, i.e. they might keep your laptop until it and its data are obsolete.

I draw the line at national security. If they really can justify and protocol a valid suspicion the laptop might contain data threatening national security (such as spionage data, terrorism, etc.) then they should keep it for closer inspection.

Travelers should be given a reason for the seizure, and if the reason is bogus (for example the officer didn't like the traveler and therefore just flagged his devices for search under national security), then the traveler should get compensated for the unfair treatment, for example 100 USD per day until the devices are back in working condition.

For any other reasons, they should be given one hour to search the device and then have to give it back.

Why does porn even rank in your list of valid reasons for search? Porn with persons over 18 is not illegal and none of the customs' business.

Edited November 3, 2013 by manarak

[BigC]

Get a grip, BigC. You're waffling for the sake of it and make no sense now.

Try your luck at immigration with your big attitude.

You're getting tiresome.

if i am making you tiresome then i shall carry on thanks for letting me know

Also i have allot of likes to my posts so they are not all bad.

Maybe u need to do some re schooling maybe my posts are beyond your inteligance

[BigC]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9892897-38.html

An interesting topic from Cnet on computers and HMRC & US Border patrol regarding computers.

Maybe the OP does not really have a leg to stand on with his complaint as research into HMRC says they can take your laptop for an unlimited time. I like the bit where they can scan the computer as you wait to see what is actually on the HD.

Is it over the top? That depends on your perspective. Porn, paedo's, terrorists. Where do you draw the line? If you look suspicious to HMRC you will be checked and it seems there is little you can do about it, unless you encrypt your files, as discussed in the link I posted.

Encrypting your files will just cause your stuff to get seized and kept until you either provide the password or they decrypt it, i.e. they might keep your laptop until it and its data are obsolete.

I draw the line at national security. If they really can justify and protocol a valid suspicion the laptop might contain data threatening national security (such as spionage data, terrorism, etc.) then they should keep it for closer inspection.

Travelers should be given a reason for the seizure, and if the reason is bogus (for example the officer didn't like the traveler and therefore just flagged his devices for search under national security), then the traveler should get compensated for the unfair treatment, for example 100 USD per day until the devices are back in working condition.

For any other reasons, they should be given one hour to search the device and then have to give it back.

Why does porn even rank in your list of valid reasons for search? Porn with persons over 18 is not illegal and none of the customs' business.

what makes me consirned is that these people are supposed to be protecting our country from terrorists, drugs, and illegal immigrants. I wonder how many managed to slip through the next while this poor chap was have his lap top and his dignaty taken down.

Our country has a siraling out f control druh problem, Such as flights coming from SE Asia near the golden triangle which is a famous niacotis pick up point,

Terrorists, had this been a connecting flight from dubai or some other country.

Not to say that a terrorist might have flown to Thailand then to UK

Streets flooded with illegal immigrants who have no intension of going home after their visa has expired.

But for some reason a harmless lap top made to priority sue to ones over bloated ego the officor did not like being talked back to. This person or people could have cost the country a few hudred thousand more lives had a smack dealer walked through,terrorist, aylem seeker which would cost us more money to deport him or her. Also human trafficing. If this person was travelling alone and none of the items were in his posetion then seizing a computer is pathetic. even if he did give them some verbal abuse, If they took it personally then they are not professionals and they could have cost England more porblems.

Do they care no.

[chiang mai]

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

[manarak]

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

I consider seizing travelers' devices for catching paedophiles disproportionate.

Why not give it a shot and search the device for an hour or so and then give it back? If there is really a suspicion, why not give the traveler's name as a potential suspect to the internet criminality brigade so they can check his internet traffic for paedo stuff?

Catching a few paedos here and there is not worth disrupting the lives of normal travelers. I wonder what their success rate is? 1 for 100? 1 for 1000?

[BigC]

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

 

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

What can I say they need a sense of humer

Stop being robots

So what about the pedos that did not make jokes

Is making jokes illegal

Wow England really is plucked

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[DonaldBattles]

This topic has gone into bad mouthing the poor guy who had a problem. I think that it is time to clsoe all of the bad language and go on to something else.

[chiang mai]

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

What can I say they need a sense of humer

Stop being robots

So what about the pedos that did not make jokes

Is making jokes illegal

Wow England really is plucked

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

No, folks need to understand what's appropriate and what's not, or maybe there's reason why some people goad others, just to get a rise, a reaction, seek attention, dunno. But you wouldn't go up to a policeman and say there's an axe murderer in the next street, a fireman and say that a house is on fire or falsely tell an ambulance driver that some chap in the next street has just had a heart attack - same rules apply, all public servants, all doing a job to ultimately help the people and the nation, why waste their time and make life and their job more difficult for them and why be surprised if they don't see the so called joke you just made when you do waste their time.

[TC1]

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

Chiang Mai gets it wrong again, raising the question as to whether he reads what he is replying to or just translates it to suit what he wants to respond with. "A wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because he has to say something." -Plato. Clearly inferred in the OP is that I became a 'suspect' before I'd even spoken to an officer (as does anybody whose bags are searched). My 'jokes' did not start until AFTER my goods were seized (illegally, according to the BA's own brochure'). Maybe Chiang Mai needs to brush up on his English comprehension, so he can then comment more lucidly and with relevance.

[chiang mai]

Methinks thou protesteth too much!

[TC1]

Confused now!! Thought it was immigration staff that checked your bags, not HMRC Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Immigration staff relate to legality of persons entering. The Border Agency is a branch of C & E and relates to goods etc being imported.

[TC1]

Methinks thou protesteth too much!

Well, somebody who does not protest at all, no matter what is done to them, would think any protest is too much. Perhaps you should go back and find the Frank Zappa quote. Meanwhile, be sure that as a writer I choose my words carefully and do not appreciate them being distorded by somebody who either does it deliberately to suit their own agenda or is deficient in his mother tongue.

Edited November 3, 2013 by TC1

[stevenl]

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

Chiang Mai gets it wrong again, raising the question as to whether he reads what he is replying to or just translates it to suit what he wants to respond with. "A wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because he has to say something." -Plato. Clearly inferred in the OP is that I became a 'suspect' before I'd even spoken to an officer (as does anybody whose bags are searched). My 'jokes' did not start until AFTER my goods were seized (illegally, according to the BA's own brochure'). Maybe Chiang Mai needs to brush up on his English comprehension, so he can then comment more lucidly and with relevance.

I would not take the OP at his word that it all happened as he wrote here.

[chiang mai]

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

Chiang Mai gets it wrong again, raising the question as to whether he reads what he is replying to or just translates it to suit what he wants to respond with. "A wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because he has to say something." -Plato. Clearly inferred in the OP is that I became a 'suspect' before I'd even spoken to an officer (as does anybody whose bags are searched). My 'jokes' did not start until AFTER my goods were seized (illegally, according to the BA's own brochure'). Maybe Chiang Mai needs to brush up on his English comprehension, so he can then comment more lucidly and with relevance.

I would not take the OP at his word that it all happened as he wrote here.

Especially after reading the Facebook account! Regardless, I think we really are done with it all this time.

[thonglorjimmy]

Immigration staff relate to legality of persons entering. The Border Agency is a branch of C & E and relates to goods etc being imported.

Not quite correct, certainly UKV&I are responsible for issuing visas. The Border Force is a law enforcement command within the Home Office. Their role is to secure the UK border by carrying out immigration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK.

You will now find previous Customs Officers staffing the Border Controls and, I assume, some former Immigration Officers carrying out checks in the "Customs Halls".

HMR&C, it changed its title from C&E many years ago, is a Directorate within The Treasury.

[TC1]

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

Chiang Mai gets it wrong again, raising the question as to whether he reads what he is replying to or just translates it to suit what he wants to respond with. "A wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because he has to say something." -Plato. Clearly inferred in the OP is that I became a 'suspect' before I'd even spoken to an officer (as does anybody whose bags are searched). My 'jokes' did not start until AFTER my goods were seized (illegally, according to the BA's own brochure'). Maybe Chiang Mai needs to brush up on his English comprehension, so he can then comment more lucidly and with relevance.

I would not take the OP at his word that it all happened as he wrote here.

It is as well NEVER to take what anybody says on a forum as truth. However, the point of my post (as repeated yet again) is NOT to complain or seek support, but to warn of what can happen. Take it or leave it. Up to you, as Thais say. For certain I would hope that Chiang Mai's common fantasy to have done military service is true - for an opposing side. He must walk around with his hands in the air permanently.

[sustento]

TC I may be a little blonde but can't find anything on internet with regards to customs keeping belongings?

Please keep us updated genuinely interested.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

HMRC (Her Majesties Revenue and Customs) have plenty of details if you check out their site.

They are not to be confused with immigration who are a different bunch altogether.

HMRC can confiscate anything from a thumb drive to your car or even your aeroplane if they feel it is warranted. And Customs are even very nice people compared to what the VAT man can do

Customs are part of the UKBA now. HMRC is the VAT man.

[HeijoshinCool]

Not so many years ago, most agents were decent, only a few were bad apples.

Now it's done a one-eighty. I've had encounters with power mad, rude, unprofessionals a number of times.

Look at what we've got now: top level military and national security officials sexting married woman. TSA agents arrested for a number of crimes, including rape. Federal air marshals taking skirt upshot photos. And, most frightening, ICE agents arrested for rape and child porn. Yep, the very people who want to take your devices.

These are emotionally immature people. Such people are unstable, and liars.

I long ago stopped taking my computer or flash drive, or even my cell with me when I travel. I never will again.

Why?

Because it only takes one bad apple, with a bad attitude, on a power trip, to put something incriminating on a device. That will change the rest of whatever life you have.

Would you trust one of the below people, with the next twenty years of your life?

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=530116#.UnYRtaVtzZs

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-tsa-arrested-boingboing-shamed-20130911,0,6755945.story#axzz2jZRPA0QG

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/14/tsa-agent-accused-helping-smuggle-illegal-immigrants-into-us/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2226585/TSA-agent-arrested-rape-young-boy-mentoring-Big-Brothers-Big-Sisters-program.htmlhttp://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/orlando-tsa-officer-arrested-accused-stealing-tour/nW2ZG/

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nye/pr/2013/2013sep06.html

http://www.usborderfirereport.com/new_page_22.htm

[BigC]

 

 

Some folks still seem to be missing the point with this:

 

the OP became a suspect in the eyes of Customs the moment he tried to joke about "his friend" Gary Glitter and the connection was made with his frequent visits to Cambodia, as far as Customs was concerned the OP was a potential paedophile, a line of enquiry that needed to be exhausted. Whilst it's probably true that the OP was trying to make a joke when he said what he did to Customs, but in the same way that a person who makes a joke about having a bomb in their luggage onboard a plane needs to be checked out very thoroughly, Customs needed to satisfy themselves that the OP was not what he portayed himself as, an absuer of young children.

 

Chiang Mai gets it wrong again, raising the question as to whether he reads what he is replying to or just translates it to suit what he wants to respond with. "A wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because he has to say something." -Plato. Clearly inferred in the OP is that I became a 'suspect' before I'd even spoken to an officer (as does anybody whose bags are searched). My 'jokes' did not start until AFTER my goods were seized (illegally, according to the BA's own brochure'). Maybe Chiang Mai needs to brush up on his English comprehension, so he can then comment more lucidly and with relevance.

 

I would not take the OP at his word that it all happened as he wrote here.

 

 

It is as well NEVER to take what anybody says on a forum as truth. However, the point of my post (as repeated yet again) is NOT to complain or seek support, but to warn of what can happen. Take it or leave it. Up to you, as Thais say. For certain I would hope that Chiang Mai's common fantasy to have done military service is true - for an opposing side. He must walk around with his hands in the air permanently.

That's pretty much it

It was just a simple heads up which has spiralled out of control

If they wanted to check for porn I mean child porn then they could have done that in front of him

If they found something that was dicy then they could impound it till it was checked out

No need to seize a devise

Be the story true or not

I am making back up hard drives to leave behind as my work is too important to be seized

I suppose under this paranoid terrorism act gives the government powers to so all sorts of things which have nothing to do win terrorism

I don't understand why the uk is so edgy about terrorism as we lived for decades with the threat of the I R A

Just because of paranoid America going over the top does not mean we have to copy them

Remember prior to 9 11 there was hardly any securty on domestic flights which made them an easy target

So now they have gone right over the top due to their slackness for before

I might take my broken lap top to England

It is broken beyond repair

Rarther than through it away I might let customs have it

Shall take them weeks to repair just to find there is nothing there

Maybe I shall tell them that it appears to be broken but really or is heavily encrypted with my personal secret messages

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Tatsujin]

@uptheos. I have not yet got my stuff back. On the very day the Border Agency received my Notice of Prosecution, they called me about identifying my computer. It seems they have seized so many that they can't keep track of them, Why mention Thai? On any given news report about something negative about Thailand or its people, there is a type of expat or regular visitor who will charge in and stereotype all Thais to that bad example, as if the country they left is perfect. This syndrome is based on the person's need for a sense of national superiority to the one they have chosed to live in/marry into. But that's another subject.

Am gonna take issue with one small point, and take it slightly off your main topic.

I'm also from the UK, and although I am quick to point out the deficiencies of most things here in Thailand, I would in no way say that the UK is perfect. Indeed, if it was, I'd still be there.

I think what you'll find is that a lot of people who post negative comments about Thailand aren't doing so because of any nationalistic superiority, simply that they are (for the most part) able to see past the bullshit here and see things for how they are.

Hand in hand with the above, I'll go further and say that if there was a forum such as this in ANY country in the world, and I was residing in said country, I'd continue to do the same thing there as I do here. It's not to put Thailand down, it's not because of any sense of nationalistic pride (I have very little if any for the UK and it's citizens), it's not to make myself feel superior . . . it's simply a way to vent a few frustrations and as a reaction to the sense of disappointment that many feel when it "could" be so much better somewhere than it actually is.

And bear in mind also, as a Brit, we complain about anything and everything, no matter where we are. We're never happy and can always find something to complain about. If it wasn't the farcical attempt at Governing we see currently here, it would be something else, the weather, the food, the elephant that crapped outside my gate. Something, anything.

Peace.

EDIT: Going back to your original topic, I've also had issues with Customs/Immigration in the UK and found them all (to a man/woman) to be rude, ignorant, arrogant, racist, insensitive, idiotic, overly suspicious, abusive of power/authority and generally complete <deleted> that can't be reasoned with. I hope that settles the balance just a little with regards the negative comments about Thailand.

I wonder why,i've always had decent respectful treatment with UK Immigration?

Me too.

The Old Git must be cringing at these posts.

Sorry to disappoint you guys, I wasn't really talking about myself, more so things I've seen over the years that happened to other people.

As an example, a few years ago I landed back in Heathrow from Bangkok, there was a family of Japanese near me and they were being given the 3rd degree by some ignorant, fat, Immigration bitch. They barely spoke any English and this woman was not just rude, she was offensive. Her parting comment after finally letting them proceed, loudly spoken, was that if foreigners wanted to visit England, they should learn to speak English and went on to mention some things about "the war". I found this very offensive and told her so. I was then given the 3rd degree by her before allowing to proceed. I then asked to speak to her Supervisor and made an official complaint against her, backed up by the recording I made whilst she was talking. The Supervisor told me that this wasn't the first complaint against this particular woman, but that it would be the last.

Just one of many stories. I understand the security concerns etc etc, but it wouldn't kill them to be more polite and helpful. They are the first thing that tourists see when they land, and they don't as far as I am concerned, give a very good impression. A smile doesn't kill, even if it's fake.

[TC1]

Not so many years ago, most agents were decent, only a few were bad apples.

Now it's done a one-eighty. I've had encounters with power mad, rude, unprofessionals a number of times.

Look at what we've got now: top level military and national security officials sexting married woman. TSA agents arrested for a number of crimes, including rape. Federal air marshals taking skirt upshot photos. And, most frightening, ICE agents arrested for rape and child porn. Yep, the very people who want to take your devices.

These are emotionally immature people. Such people are unstable, and liars.

I long ago stopped taking my computer or flash drive, or even my cell with me when I travel. I never will again.

Why?

Because it only takes one bad apple, with a bad attitude, on a power trip, to put something incriminating on a device. That will change the rest of whatever life you have.

Would you trust one of the below people, with the next twenty years of your life?

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=530116#.UnYRtaVtzZs

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-tsa-arrested-boingboing-shamed-20130911,0,6755945.story#axzz2jZRPA0QG

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/14/tsa-agent-accused-helping-smuggle-illegal-immigrants-into-us/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2226585/TSA-agent-arrested-rape-young-boy-mentoring-Big-Brothers-Big-Sisters-program.htmlhttp://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/orlando-tsa-officer-arrested-accused-stealing-tour/nW2ZG/

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nye/pr/2013/2013sep06.html

http://www.usborderfirereport.com/new_page_22.htm

For many years I have carried my storage devices and have experienced no problem whatsoever, and was not worried about being searched or having the devices checked. Had I read my own OP but written by somebody else, I suppose I would not have been so naive as to think dirty goings on by Border Agency officials were something imagined. I will in future make other arrangements, of course. I made no protest about the devices being checked and offered to open them (as stated in the OP). Indeed, I mentioned to the officer that I'd already missed my bus and there wasn't another for 4 hours, so the check would pass the time. Also stated in my OP is that a 2nd officer escalated things to a farcical level. What I haven't mentioned is that no attempt was made to search my person. Had my cherished flach drive been in my pocket, I would still have it. All the speculation that certain contributors to the thread feel need to make say more about their need to show they exist than their insight into the issue.

[Riverman63]

A few years back me and a mate were flying from UK to Amsterdam for a few days holiday. As we were flying out we had to show our passports to the official at the boarding gate. My mate went first, the official looked at his passport pic, looked at him, waved him through. I was next, he looked at the photo, looked at me then called my mate back.

We had accidentally swapped passports at check in. How on earth did he let my mate through with my passport?

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[h90]

Some times ago it was in the news that UK changed the law so they can check the content and take all electronic equipment like the USA does.

Welcome in the new world order.......

I've never had a problem entering the US with laptop and tablet. I guess I don't look evil!

My aunt, Austrian nationality, living since 30 years in USA, blond, christian, 65 year old woman, very neat and nice clothes, wealthy. Always orders the pork and the wine. No political or anything else activist.

She is searched every second time when she LEAVES USA. Once they told her, the computer is marking her for a search they don't know why.

But never confiscated anything and she told they are always polite (but she like to help when it is for the safety for everyone )

[seasia]

TC1

I`ll just say Thanks for posting.

It has been an interesting thread.

I`d hate to have my laptop confiscated, not at all good with IT matters and if it ever happened would cause me a lot of inconvenience.

Merely bookmarks/contacts etc.nothing particularly secret.

No problem so far but :

Time for me to back up some info I guess.

[MAJIC]

If some of you learnt to answer the questions asked by customs or immigration minus the attitude then you would encounter a lot less problems.

what if you ask a question and get no answer is that right also. or are we supposed to be robots and not get afffended. Most of it is intmidation.

Like Someone said they asked so many stupid questions. like " did u pack this bag yourself sir, "

Answer " no i have a magical fairy that packs my bags for me every time i go away" ask a stupid question get a stupid answer..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-k5h8arZYM

watch and learn lol

Like Someone said they asked so many stupid questions. like " did u pack this bag yourself sir, "

If you think about it,that's a reasonable question which they ask to everyone, i.e if they find contraband in your case/bag,then you can't say I don't know how it got there,because you said you packed it!

[manarak]

If some of you learnt to answer the questions asked by customs or immigration minus the attitude then you would encounter a lot less problems.

what if you ask a question and get no answer is that right also. or are we supposed to be robots and not get afffended. Most of it is intmidation.

Like Someone said they asked so many stupid questions. like " did u pack this bag yourself sir, "

Answer " no i have a magical fairy that packs my bags for me every time i go away" ask a stupid question get a stupid answer..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-k5h8arZYM

watch and learn lol

Like Someone said they asked so many stupid questions. like " did u pack this bag yourself sir, "

If you think about it,that's a reasonable question which they ask to everyone, i.e if they find contraband in your case/bag,then you can't say I don't know how it got there,because you said you packed it!

If they find 5 Kg of coke in your bag I don't think it matters much if you say you didn't pack it...

[TC1]

Quite a few posts refer to 'attitude'. I can only imagine that these people go around grovelling to anyone they find the slightest intimidating (probably nearly everybody). What has attitude got to do with being pulled for a search in the first place? Once pulled, one's bags are going to be searched no matter how much shoe-licking somebody does. The point of the post relates to seizure. Whether it should or shouldn't be right or not is irrelevant to if it is legal. Those who kow-tow to any authority can speculate all they like about attitude, but to do that is merely an excuse to say something that is also irrelevant. I've passed through the border more times than I can count and, stopped only once before years ago, I have never experienced anything like this occasion. Did I suddenly become different than when I passed through 2 months prior? Of course not. Some people have to speculate because the events as described don't give them anything to be self-superior and 'knowing' about. Thankfully, there are those who can read properly and do not mentally translate it into something they can either point the finger at or 'advise' about. Such 'negatives' never either surprise or disappoint me, but I am actually surprised to find more 'positives' than I expected to.

Edited November 3, 2013 by TC1

[sustento]

We only have your side of the story.