Customs at the airport

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migrant
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Customs at the airport

Post by migrant »

Coming back after a couple months away and was wondering if new arrivals at the airport are still getting luggage scanned.

Last year, or so, there was a lot in the news about incoming passengers were getting their luggage scanned more frequently but, as many policies in Thailand, they tend to get forgotten.

Not that I'm planning on bringing in anything off..........
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by Nereus »

Not that I'm planning on bringing in anything off..........
I think that is just the cigar sniffing dawgs that you have to watch out for. :rasta:
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by migrant »

Nereus wrote: Tue Apr 17, 2018 11:01 pm
Not that I'm planning on bringing in anything off..........
I think that is just the cigar sniffing dawgs that you have to watch out for. :rasta:
8) 8)
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by StevePIraq »

I arrived back two weeks ago and no one seemed to be having baggage checked after collection, it was the usual thing of the airport staff sitting around doing very little.

And as always not enough staff on passport control, even in fast track section.
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by migrant »

OK, made it through, cigars safe!

Walking past the exam area the customs people showed little interest but they did jump, and examine, a Thai couple ahead of us.

They had a box, hard to tell if used, or a new shipment, but customs did jump and pull them in.

So, by my little sample customs must be looking for people bringing in new items that could be subject to tax
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by Dannie Boy »

migrant wrote: Sat May 05, 2018 8:14 am OK, made it through, cigars safe!

Walking past the exam area the customs people showed little interest but they did jump, and examine, a Thai couple ahead of us.

They had a box, hard to tell if used, or a new shipment, but customs did jump and pull them in.

So, by my little sample customs must be looking for people bringing in new items that could be subject to tax
I’m sure they use a number of methods to “select victims” to check out - that will include those that look suspicious, those carrying items of interest (new items, expensive suitcases), where they get a tip-off, what country you have travelled from, and you happen to be visitor number 30 since the last person stopped!!
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by Dannie Boy »

Just read that Customs will introduce x-Ray machines at Suvarnabhumi from the beginning of 2020 - more in the attached
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30375894
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by Dannie Boy »

Has anybody who has arrived at BKK since the 1st January noticed any changes to the procedures on baggage inspections?


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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by HHTel »

It did say 'early in the year' which in 'Thai time' could be any time. To spot any change, you would have to notice the xray cams above the carousel which may or may not be that obvious.
Should it be installed, then if anything is brought to the attention of customs, they'd have to move pretty fast. 1st they would need to see who claimed the luggage and contact them before they've passed through customs. I'd say that's a pretty tall order.
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by REEM »

I read that all luggage will be x-rayed before being placed on the carousel, and large red stickers will be attached to cases that have caught the attention of the x ray operators. These stickers instruct the owner to go through the red "goods to declare" customs channel where the cases will be opened and inspected. I also read that this system will start on Jan 1st.

I arrived on Jan 1st and saw no signs of any such activity.
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by HHTel »

That would make sense. However, that's not what was announced in the link:
The Customs Department will by year end complete installation of 23 x-ray machines above the baggage carousels
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by REEM »

As for the x-ray machines at Suvarnabhumi Airport, they will not only help with tax collection, but also prevent the smuggling of sensitive goods into the country, such as agricultural products, palm oil, fuel oil and drugs,” said Uttama.
I wonder how many travellers passing through Suwannaphum try to smuggle fuel oil in their suitcases.
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by HHTel »

:lach: :lach:
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Re: Customs at the airport

Post by handdrummer »

Palm oil? Isn't that coals to Newcastle?
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