New, incoming, customs searches

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migrant
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New, incoming, customs searches

Post by migrant »

I had seen in online news, and mrs m has seen discussed on Thai TV, that customs is going to start searching more incoming luggage, and install new machines that scan all luggage. Mrs m tends to bring in more than her allotted amount of cigars and would hate to get in trouble over her cigars.

I told her TIT and customs won't want to work harder and, if, new machines are installed it will be 10 years.

But I will ask if anyone coming in has seen increased vigilance on customs part.
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by HAPPYGOLFER »

I,m not sure if the custom has been more vigilance or not, but when I landed in Bangkok last Sunday, every third person was stopped for a while. Everything was transported through their oldfashion X-ray machine , no comment from the customs, and it took only a few seconds. For me it was ok , I try to follow the rules, for me no problem
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by redzonerocker »

Came through end of March and thought the whole process was very relaxed.
Passport control, baggage and customs were fairly quick and easy.
There were plenty of officers at the customs counters but didn't see anyone get stopped.
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by oakdale160 »

I have seen people stopped but NEVER seen a white middle aged or older person stopped
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by migrant »

oakdale160 wrote: Mon May 01, 2017 11:47 pm I have seen people stopped but NEVER seen a white middle aged or older person stopped
That fits me!
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by Kheïyd »

I passed through customs the last week of March together with my wife (Thai) and het sister and we all had to have our suitcases inspected, both with the x-ray machine and visually.

We had tools and presents with us. Eventually no problem but I was told beforehand that customs is trying to enforce the rule of bringing no more than the equivalent of 20.000 THB into the country. It appears that an increasing number of tourists and/or returning locals take merchandise into the country and sell it in Thailand.

I had the bills of the items with me which seemed to sped up the process.
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by Big Boy »

Kheïyd wrote: Tue May 02, 2017 5:43 am customs is trying to enforce the rule of bringing no more than the equivalent of 20.000 THB into the country.
Bring a decent phone or camera and you become an instant cash cow :?
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by migrant »

Big Boy wrote: Tue May 02, 2017 8:15 am
Kheïyd wrote: Tue May 02, 2017 5:43 am customs is trying to enforce the rule of bringing no more than the equivalent of 20.000 THB into the country.
Bring a decent phone or camera and you become an instant cash cow :?
Yes that was also mrs m's worry. Between cell phone and modest jewelry she is concerned
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by Kheïyd »

Well, in my case it was a mere 42 kg of luggage per person ;-) Heaps of chocolate, wine, circular saw, stainless steel screws and the like. :-D

They never looked at my iPhone or laptop so I don't think they will harass you over these. Things are different when you , for instance, bring several new iPhones or other valuable merchandise in their original package. Hard to explain that those are for personal use.

Can't wait to see their faces when I make my next trip :laugh:
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by Big Boy »

It remains a grey area, and TIT. If the circumstances suit, they'll probably nab somebody.

How many times do you see people without helmets ride their motorcycles past police cars, without being stopped? When the circumstances suit, they nab somebody.
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by Kheïyd »

How many times do you see people without helmets ride their motorcycles past police cars, without being stopped? When the circumstances suit, they nab somebody.
Actually it is not a grey area. The rules are clear and published. They just don't uphold them on a regular basis. 8)

I like to look at it in a positive way. All the times I got away with riding without a helmet or importing too much without getting caught I consider myself lucky. And when I am wrong, I am wrong.

So if do get a ticket I just smile and count my blessings. No different than any other country except that you get away with things easier in Thailand.

I got caught the other day when I was looking for an internet café in Hua Hin riding a motorbike without a helmet, without an international drivers license and against the traffic into a one-way street.
All that right in front of one of those police cabins.

They just had to halt me. :tsk:
Eventually they only gave me a reasonable fine for only one of the traffic violations.
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by Big Boy »

Exactly, your chances of being stopped through customs are low, but if you are, and the circumstances :wink: are right/wrong, they just may start looking at everything. Even a decent suitcase could push you over the limit. Yes, taking it to the extreme, but as I said, TIT.
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by Kheïyd »

I understand what you mean and I'll keep it in mind. I always stay below the limit and have the bills with me anyway since I don't intend to push my luck.

Just wanted to confirm the fact that customs is indeed stepping up with checking luggage, even checking white middle aged people.
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by migrant »

Thanks All!
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Re: New, incoming, customs searches

Post by Name Taken »

This sounds like there is a growing and thriving Black Market for items that are not available for purchase in Thailand.

If the items being brought in to Thailand are items that can not be purchased at stores anywhere in Thailand, then I think businesses in Thailand need to start carrying and have a more diverse selection of products. :idea:
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