This week I took a flight home from BKK to England. I'll be returning to BKK next week and plan to take a few things with me. I'll be grateful for your advice re. customs clearance / taxation. The customs form* states anything over 10,000 baht total must be declared, though presumably this figure is now outdated and ignored? For example: laptop computers, camcorders, etc.

I will return to BKK with about 70 music CDs (50,000 baht), some PC peripherals (3,000 baht), about 20 original Microsoft application / server software CDs (value of a cd with no licence???), computer manuals and other books, a digital multimeter, and some other more ordinary stuff.

For reference, I have a valid work permit (computer and English teacher) and non-immigrant visa.

Are any of the above listed items likely to cause a problem?

*Customs Department Form 211:

GOODS NOT TO DECLARE cover only personal effects intended for passenger own private or professional use of which total value do NOT exceed Baht 10,000.

Go to the Thai Embassy nearest your home and explain to them your desire to take your personal property with you. They will ask you to prepare a list, which they will certify, allowing you to take higher value items such as you laptop into Thailand duty free. Make sure the list contains make brands and serial numbers of all items. Otherwise the duty on some items can be as high as 100%.

Go to the Thai Embassy nearest your home and explain to them your desire to take your personal property with you. They will ask you to prepare a list, which they will certify, allowing you to take higher value items such as you laptop into Thailand duty free. Make sure the list contains make brands and serial numbers of all items. Otherwise the duty on some items can be as high as 100%.

Surely not everyone visits the embassy to certify a list, or do they? Anyway, your advice was sound - I'll phone the embassy and ask them how to proceed. Thank you.