Answered6 years ago
What are travelers' experiences with Thai Customs at the airport?
I 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. 😃
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.
54 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
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.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 !
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 *********
OPSupposedly those are banned as "lust enhancement devices!" 😅
Carlo **********
Put the drugs in it lol.
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 *********
OPSame for me! No one was watching the scanner! 😅
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! 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 *********
Really, they all have smart phones, you don't need to Google in English.Alain **********
@Andrew ********
never saw a customs officer with a tablet and they can’t write English in Thailand.Andrew *********
@Alain *********
Why not ?Greg *********
OPI 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.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 !
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 *********
OP@Kevin *******
Do you mean since COVID, or never in general?Kevin ********
@Gregory ********
in general 
Mike ********
@Gregory ********
same for me, never ever..Michael ********
Too scared of covid
Activity
30 joined30
people
Related
25Can you apply for a DTV visa while in Thailand, or must it be done from outside?
1.8k12254mo
When should we apply for a DTV visa to Thailand considering flight itineraries?
9.1k411946mo
What visa options are available for a 58-year-old expat planning to marry a Thai citizen in Thailand?
14.8k1072166mo
Why is HMRC documentation required when applying for DTV from the UK?
1.5k1557mo
Can I work remotely for a non-Thai company while on a Thai DTV visa for Muay Thai?
1.9k14197mo
How can I obtain a Thai O Visa without having a Thai bank account?
3.1k19488mo
What is the best way to handle retirement visa bank account requirements in Thailand?
11.7k592318mo
What are the recommendations for fast track services at Suvarnabhumi Airport?
6.1k201448mo
What should I do if the Thai embassy in London asks for additional documents for my visa application?
2.7k25121y
Should DTV content creators declare their video equipment at Thai customs or take the 'nothing to declare' route?
623421y
How long did it take to obtain your LTR visa in Thailand, and what was your experience with the process?
10.2k401361y
Why is the process for foreigners to move to Thailand so cumbersome?
19.7k1273121y
Is the Soft Visa the Same as the Remote DTV Visa in Thailand, and What Are the Requirements?
3.4k31242y
What are the risks of creating content on OnlyFans while in Thailand?
11.6k34552y
What are the best practices for applying for a DTV visa in Thailand, and should I use a visa agency?
5.2k42392y
What visa options are available for moving to Thailand as the spouse of a Thai citizen?
3.9k14793y
Why is the group emphasizing the use of visa agents now, and are moderators affiliated with them?
11.1k681863y
What are the requirements for bringing 90 days worth of prescription medication into Thailand?
5.8k25543y
What is the process for obtaining a TR visa at the Thai Consulate in Penang?
3.7k7894y
Can I extend my STV for another 3 months despite the program ending in September 2022?
1.9k14144y
How long does it normally take to receive a Thailand Pass when using an Outlook email for the application?
2.1k1975y
What are the visa requirements for those who have completed their COVID vaccination in Thailand?
10.2k891036y
What happens if you get questioned by immigration regarding return tickets in Thailand?
9.6k641468y
What are the experiences and challenges of going through immigration at Don Mueang Airport?
4.9k42399y
Is it true that the Thai government will offer a ten-year visa, and what are the requirements to obtain it?
2.8k27109y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served