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What are travelers' experiences with Thai Customs at the airport?
Thai CustomsAirport SecurityTravel ExperiencesImmigrationExpat Life in ThailandCustoms RegulationsLuggage InspectionCOVID-19 impact on customs checks
Mar 17, 2021
5 years ago
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI had this impression that Thai Customs at the airport was going to be quite intense, searching meticulously through my luggage for anything on the long list of forbidden items. One suitcase was randomly passed through the x-ray, nothing was opened, no questions were even asked. 😃
TLDR : Answer Summary
Travelers sharing experiences with Thai Customs at the airport reveal a generally lenient process, with many reporting minimal or no inspections of their luggage. Several comments highlight that while some individuals occasionally get stopped for further checks, most find the customs officers friendly and welcoming. There is a lighthearted recognition of differing experiences based on appearance and perceived 'innocence,' with a common theme of travelers being waved through without inspections. The relaxed atmosphere stands in contrast to the strict customs reputation often discussed in relation to Thailand.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Paul **********
All luggage is scanned and passes sniffer dogs prior to release on the conveyor anyway and marked I’d suspect —
Alexander *****
Yup, I brought in a bottle of duty free gin!
Karl ********
They don’t open your suitcase unless they find something suspicious. This is usual in Thailand, I have travelled to Bangkok approx 7 times in 30 months out of that 4 times my suitcase was passed from the scanner by the customs , but nothing they found and they let me go peacefully with a smile and thanking - this was before covid
Paul **********
If anything I found Singapore to be the most drama
Andrew *********
@Paul *********
Yoh look dodgy I would stop you!Andrew *********
@Paul *********
Funnily never been stopped in Singapore , been there as much as BKK usually whiz through Immigration in 5 minutes and in the taxi 15 minutes after touch down.Paul **********
@Andrew ********
thousands of security and x ray checks Andrew *********
@Paul *********
Can't see the checks decreasing in the present climate unfortunately.Reply to
Andrew *********
Reply
Paul **********
Over 30 years never a problem —
Simon *******
Never had a x-ray in 30 visits always great
Karl ********
@Simon ******
I had 4 times in 7 visits 🥱 but nothing they found Andrew *********
@Simon ******
Whats your secret ?Andrew *********
@Simon ******
Lucky bastard !Reply to
Andrew *********
Reply
David ********
They probably dont want to touch your bags. I thought BKK was fantastically organised on my arrival for ASQ. Highly impressed.
Steven *****
Yeah, they don't care. Welcome to travel.
Gregg *************
Thai customs are the best
Mark *******
I don’t know why Thailands customs and immigration checks has a bad reputation, I suspect it’s caused by people who’ve never been to the Land of Smiles.
Gorgon *****
also depends on point of origin and transit points..where much examination has been already completed..and not evident..
Brendan *****
Always place a large pink dildo on the top of your hand luggage
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERSupposedly those are banned as "lust enhancement devices!" 😅
Carlo **********
Put the drugs in it lol.
Reply to
Carlo **********
Reply
Carlo **********
Got the drugs though ok then?
Nick *******
Coz ur handsome man & they need every farang under 110 yrs old over here 😁😁
Marc *******
Never got x rayed. Maybe bc i wait all time till a other get x rayed and push thru with a smile. 😁😇
Glen ********
Can have a nice interaction and a few laughs with them at the moment..they even wished me a happy birthday which was nice😊
Brad **********
Isn’t it nice not to be treated like a criminal 😉
Amazing 🇹🇭
Amazing 🇹🇭
Patrick *******
Sounds like they don't want to touch anything
Scott *******
They instructed me to leave my suitcases off the xray and only place my backpack on. Nobody was looking at the screen when it passed through anyway so not even sure why I needed to do that 😅
Frank ******
@Scott ******
theatrics!Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERSame for me! No one was watching the scanner! 😅
Reply to
Greg *********
Reply
Michael ********
When i came in July customs were not even there. There was a sign on the wall saying you are on cctv
Steve **********
Have gone thru customs a hundred times. Usually walk thru " nothing yo declare " just keep walking.
If stopped they seldom open a bag
If stopped they seldom open a bag
Larry ********
They never looked at my stuff before, just waved me through green line
Andrew *********
@Larry *******
Wth your baby face looks you could have an AK 47 and still not get stopped! Reply to
Andrew *********
Reply
Alain **********
Was stopped 2x on 50 arrivals.
Once had a coffee machine, nothing was said, second time during x-ray 6 months of medicine was found in my handbagage. Questions were asked for medical documents did not have, was allowed to get through.
Once had a coffee machine, nothing was said, second time during x-ray 6 months of medicine was found in my handbagage. Questions were asked for medical documents did not have, was allowed to get through.
Andrew *********
Easy enough for them to Google the name of the medication and see if if ties up with what you are telling them.
Alain **********
@Andrew ********
a Bangkok Customs Officer using Google, you must be joking....Andrew *********
@Alain *********
Why not ?Alain **********
@Andrew ********
never saw a customs officer with a tablet and they can’t write English in Thailand.Andrew *********
@Alain *********
Really, they all have smart phones, you don't need to Google in English.Reply to
Andrew *********
Reply
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI left some medicine at home because I couldn't find the prescription in time. I had visions of being thrown into a Thai prison over it! 😂
David **********
@Gregory ********
I've always felt that the prescription information on the medicine bottle is enough to justify me traveling with it and taking it. Agree with Allen I'm careful with pain medicationAlain **********
@Gregory ********
as long as these are not tranquilizers you should be fine.Reply to
Alain **********
Reply
Andrew *********
I get stopped and bags xrayed everytime no matter how innocent I try and look.
Karl ********
@Andrew ********
I was asked to place my luggage 4 out of 7 times visit to Bangkok... no matter I look innocent 🤣 but nothing they could found .. and left me peacefully John ******
@Andrew ********
maybe you believe you look innocent😃Andrew *********
@John *****
We all look guilty walking through customs !Reply to
Andrew *********
Reply
Steve *********
When we travel into bkk my partner always makes me push the trolley (which MIGHT have more bottles of whiskey that we're allowed) ... because "they don't check farang".
Kevin ********
Never had an issue in Thailand Customs
Mark ********
@Kevin *******
no me neither.Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin *******
Do you mean since COVID, or never in general?Kevin ********
@Gregory ********
in general Mike ********
@Gregory ********
same for me, never ever..Reply to
Mike ********
Reply
Michael ********
Too scared of covid
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
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