Thai Customs declaration
 

I will be going to Thailand soon and am wondering if I need to declare my camera and computer at Thai customs? Also, will I be allowed to bring in personal medication without any paperwork?

Thanks!

No, you don't need to claim your camera or computer.

Yes, you can bring personal medication without paperwork.

Apologies for bringing up this old thread but wonder if any Thai experts can help.

I will be flying to Koh Samui with my girlfriend and intend to propose to her there (as a surprise of course). I will be carrying a diamond ring (value USD30k) - do I need to declare this at customs? If anyone has any experience with this that would be great.

Thanks in advance.

It's times like this that I'm thrilled my fiancee doesn't read flyertalk!!!:D

As far as I'm concerned, customs declarations are for items that you are leaving behind after you leave; things like gifts, or items you intend on consuming, selling, in the country, or intend on coming back to use again. I'm assuming the ring will be leaving the country along with the two of you?

Thailand's customs is rumoured to be the country's most corrupt government department. I would recommend doing everything possible to avoid contact with any customs official. If I was involved with any customs problems at the airport, I'd surely want a third party, likley the police, observing.

I'll also ask the question that many readers are wondering....
... why would you bring a $30K ring to Thailand in the first place? You're not worried about it disapearing? For sure, I would NOT be putting it in any Hotel safe or Front desk safety box.

yowza! will you adopt me?

Of course you DON'T declare anything like this to the rogues at Thai Customs for this situation, no matter what their law says.

Frankly, you are asking for trouble taking a $30K ring on this sort of trip in the first place. Why don't you put the Real Thing in a bank safety deposit box at home, then get a cheapie replica to give to her at proposal time in Ko Samui, followed by an explanation that she'll get the real replacement on your return home. Most women worth proposing to will be perfectly happy with the sentiment expressed by the faux ring, and will understand that it's not a great idea to be carting around or wearing something so valuable under these circumstances. Remember that even if you get the ring on her finger, she's still got to keep up with it through sightseeing, beachtime, etc. Seriously, babysitting the object will become the focus of the trip, rather than focusing on each other's company.

Thai Customs information page
 

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng...menuNme=Travel

A strict reading indicates you have to declare anything over 10,000 baht - but that is ridiculous in terms of vast experiences and practical enforcement. That would require the declaration of virtually every laptop and camera.

Green Channel (nothing to declare):

(emphasis mine)

Red Channel (need to declare):
The language in the second suggests this is only for returning Thai residents, but the language in the first has no such qualifier and the page is written in English for all travelers.

For a slightly less confusing, but still somewhat contradictory when read in its entirety, explanation from the Thai government, please see http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/doc/...ai_customs.pdf

Don't bring it...

Have you ever seen the scene in the movie "The Dogs of War" when Christopher Walken goes through customs in "Zangaro"? That's Thai customs on a good day!

Thanks for the help everyone, mission accomplished!

USM customs inbound was barely noticeable, and outbound non-existent. A simple resort style airport.

The Thai customs website is unclear so I did not declare it with the hope that I could argue about this if stopped, but brought a "receipt" with me to be on the safe side. On the way out my fiancee wore it so it wasn't a problem :D

OT, Koh Samui is a wonderful place.

I didn't anticipate any problems with Thai Customs as long as you don't speak to them. :)

Glad you had a good time and the ring got home safely. I actually recommend that women leave ALL jewelry at home (incl all rings, necklaces, etc.) when traveling in SE Asia.