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Can I bring two laptops into Thailand for work and personal use without issues?

Thailand immigrationlaptop customsvisa regulationsexpat advicebring electronics to Thailandnon-immigrant workwork permit Thailanddigital nomad travel
May 11, 2023
2 years ago
Ryhan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can I have my two laptop with me? One for work and one for my personal use. Or, immigration will disallow one. Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Users generally agree that bringing two laptops into Thailand for work and personal use is not a problem, as customs do not typically check for such items. While it is noted that carrying a work laptop may raise questions regarding the type of visa needed, most travelers report no issues at immigration as long as the laptops are not for resale or contain illegal content. Some caution against mentioning the laptops' intended usage related to work, as doing so could imply the need for a work permit.
Colin ***************
Customs
2 years ago
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Graham *******
I cannot imagine its a problem. With more and more people working by laptop, at least for now, I am sure a lot of countries are becoming concerned at the lost tax revenue created by "digital, nomads" to the extent that legislation similar to the "common reporting standard" is to be expected.
2 years ago
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Lincoln *******
Unless ur here on a work permit or business travel visa just don't mention anything about a work laptop. One for gaming, one for emails 🤣

Seriously though, you would have to be pretty unlucky for anyone to ask and even then it shouldn't be a drama
2 years ago
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Pornrat ***********
1) Unless the laptop was to sell or contained any illegal data, there should be no issue bringing it into Thailand.

2) However, work in Thailand - even remotely in relation to affars outside of Thailand (ie Indonesia) and/or without remuneration - without an applicable visa or Work Permit is illegal.

However, people in a hotel room are practically untraceable.
2 years ago
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Pornrat ***********
No: I did not direct my comment specifically for you but general consumption.

If a foreigner conducts any commercial activity in Thailand - whether remotely or non-remunerated - such activities are illegal.

People who work from "home" (ie IT people) or on the streets (ie youtubers / tik tokers) are at risk but rarely are detected.
2 years ago
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Andy ******
@Pornrat **********
 if you mean me I have work permit for Indonesia and Brunei for your information,I don't work in Thailand only come back for 1 month at a time to see my Thai wife
2 years ago
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Pornrat ***********
Technically, remote work done without a Non-Immigration B visa (or similar) and a work permit in Thailand would be illegal.

Unless the main purpose for the 2x laptops is work and you are asked, you are allowed to carry [x] items; so long as they are not for sale or contain illegal data therein.#
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pornrat **********
 Thank you for your response. Actually I'm a web dev, I might need to do some remote support for my clients during my stay. Not sure what I do in this case if they ask about my two laptops.
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
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Andy ******
Come in with my laptop to Thailand all the time every second month ,need it for my work in Indonesia,never a problem.
2 years ago
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Malcolm *********
I have never heard of immigration checking the status of a laptop - is this something new. Make sure neither overstays though.
2 years ago
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David *****
Walk past customs. Do not look them in the eye. You will not be stopped
2 years ago
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Glenn ***********
I brought in two and had no issues.
2 years ago
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Jo **********
i have exactly the same situation two computers. Enter frequently never a problem. moreover there is no customs legal issue with owning two computers
2 years ago
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Cliff *********
Customs, immigration and security never look at my laptop other than to tell me to take it out of my backpack and put in the scanner.
2 years ago
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Graham *******
I am thinking of getting one of these, I rely on my pc so much, anyone any experience with micro pc? I want a pc with me every where but needs to be same size as phone.
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**********
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*****
*****
&refinements=p_36%3A
*****
-
*****
0&rnid=
*****
*****
&sprefix=micro+p%2Caps%2C387&sr=8-4
2 years ago
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David ********
@Graham ******
 they are a good option
2 years ago
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David ********
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Mark ************
Always travel with 2 laptops.... get them out put through the x-ray m/c at airport & have never been pulled in many years of traveling... ! :)
2 years ago
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Myles *******
Why would immigration even know?
2 years ago
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John *******
@Myles ******
 They scan did you not know!
2 years ago
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John *******
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Garrett ***********
Pretty sure laptops are restricted unless you have a workpermit.
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 Are you serious or joking? Because it's showing you are a moderator in this group! And moderator should have provide authentic answer to any question.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ryhan ******
 According to who? I must have missed those rules when I signed up.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Michael ********
@Garrett **********
 dont forget TM62 for registration of electronic devices
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Michael *******
*****
5555
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Claudia **********
Immigration didn’t take care of customs authority
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Claudia *********
 Right. Absolute point! Thank you. So is there any customs issue I might face in this case?
2 years ago
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Claudia **********
@Ryhan ******
 NO
2 years ago
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Claudia **********
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Us *****
They don't even check. I had two laptops, an ipad, and two cell phones in my backpack.
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Us ****
 Thank you for sharing your experience.
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
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Cary ******
They don’t care. Don’t mention it and neither will they.
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cary *****
 Thank you for your reply.
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
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Brandon ************
Should be fine. Although you're not allowed to do work in Thailand so if they asked why you have two I might say one is for gaming and the other is for something else.

But that being said I've never actually seen customs stop anyone. They are always playing with their phone as you walk by.
2 years ago
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Andy *********
@Brandon ***********
Although online gambling is illegal.

They could confuse the 2.

OP should think of a better excuse.
2 years ago
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Peter *******
@Andy ********
 no one mentioned on line gambling 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
2 years ago
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Andy *********
@Peter ******
When you have a free day perhaps you could find the time to read my 17 word post.
2 years ago
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Peter *******
@Andy ********
 perhaps you need glasses, the answer to the OP was ON LINE GAMING !!!!!!!

You then brought up ON LINE GAMBLING 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
2 years ago
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Peter *******
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Brandon ************
@Andy ********
 online gaming is huge in Thailand
2 years ago
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Andy *********
Brandon Thurkettle

"Online gambling

Online gambling is illegal in Thailand. In 2020, as a part of a campaign against online casinos, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society began to cooperate with other state agencies to block websites that provide such services."

OP - You decide who is making sense.

****************************************************
2 years ago
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Andy *********
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Ryhan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Thank you so much for your reply.
2 years ago
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Ryhan *******
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