Do I need to declare my computer or smart device when arriving or departing Thailand?

It's not about turning your device off, it's about declaring it to customs when you leave Thailand so that when you come back you aren't charged customs duty on it. It's an issue for Thai people and residents, rather than visitors.

@Ivan ***********

- a Bangkok Post article dated today cited the confusing new regulations only applies to articles for professional use and for art exhibitions to be used abroad and returned to LOS.

It's not about logging out of your device, it's about declaring the device to customs when you leave Thailand so that when you come back with it, they don't charge you customs duty on it.

It's one of these things that has been there forever, and most other countries have similar arrangements, but they are not frequently applied or matter, because travellers are rarely checked at the airports anyway. But then there was an announcement and the media ran with it... it's more an issue with stuff through the post, if you send something out of Thailand for warranty service customs will charge it on the way back. Unless you declare it in advance, and there is a procedure for this.

With numerous computers or expensive jewelry - the passenger declares in BKK on outgoing flight and can be used to avoid problems when returning to LOS; proof of prior export vs purchased abroad for sale in LOS.