News Forum - Thai woman fined 54,000 baht at airport after entering country with designer brands

[Guest1]

34 minutes ago, Skip said:

cash limit undeclared is apx 170,000 Baht

Isn't that "more" equivalent of max. 20k US$ all together?

And Thai cash in pocket, landborder, max 500k, flying to/from further away countries only 50k?

[Guest1]

5 hours ago, Janneman said:

Seriously? 20.000 bath? That is like 600 dollars? So you enter Thailand with your iPhone, fancy sunglasses, pretty shoes, a laptop perhaps? I'm at 80.000 baht now. Tricky. 

Since the cash, undeclared, is 20k, but equivalent to 20kUS$, my guess here is: some mix up!

Either in the report or in the knowledge of the customs.

And looking at the 70k baht fine, the value goes more to the 20k US. Still it does  not explain, why personal belongings get "fined" (taxed plus fine would be the thing to do, IF...), So my guess here: to many times the same item, perhaps? Selling intention obvious?

Or simple a customs scam for money, someone checked, where it went?

[HiuMak]

Foreign tourist no issue. Main target are local Thais.

I have experience travelling with a Thai Friend and she was taxed for carrying a new Gucci bag into Thailand.

[Ivo_Shandor]

3 hours ago, Guest1 said:

Since the cash, undeclared, is 20k, but equivalent to 20kUS$, my guess here is: some mix up!

Either in the report or in the knowledge of the customs.

Just for clarity, any individual can import an unlimited amount of foreign and Thai currency in Thailand, regardless of the residency status, but if one imports more than the equivalent of 20.000 US Dollars, it must be declared (this does not mean that they will seize the excess...). Note that if one is non-resident, these money must be either sold or deposited in bank account (foreign currency) within 360 days from import date, and if the sum exceeds 50.000 US Dollars equivalent, this deposit must be declared as well (I don't recall now how or to whom). Usually this is not an issue for tourists, as they usually leave the country before that limit.

Regarding this specific case, she (but many others before her) was just a fool thinking that entering with wearable expensive stuff will make her not liable of paying duties on items. Customs has been quite clear over the years (with signages and other press reports) that anything beyond the allowance is liable to be taxed on a random check whether undeclared before being passed through the X-ray machine, regardless of its status (worn, in the luggage, broken, a gift, etc...).

Rich, or better, wealthy people do not usually travel with rolex and gucci or whatever luxury in plain sight that they know they can be seized. Those are just uneducated spoiled people.

Edited May 24, 2022 by Ivo_Shandor

[DiJoDavO]

11 hours ago, astro said:

It always helps to read the article before commenting...

"Another officer told them every luxury item would be seized because people couldn’t enter the country with more than 20,000 baht of assets." 

Indeed, it always helps to read the whole article yes. 

[Skip]

On 5/24/2022 at 5:44 AM, Guest1 said:

Isn't that "more" equivalent of max. 20k US$ all together?

And Thai cash in pocket, landborder, max 500k, flying to/from further away countries only 50k?

$5,000 USD without declaring... over that must declare all of it.

[DavidB]

On 5/25/2022 at 6:53 AM, Skip said:

$5,000 USD without declaring... over that must declare all of it.

Incorrect  The cash reporting limit is US$15,000.

[DavidB]

On 5/24/2022 at 6:00 AM, Guest1 said:

Since the cash, undeclared, is 20k, but equivalent to 20kUS$, my guess here is: some mix up!

Either in the report or in the knowledge of the customs.

No. The "cash declaration limit" is US$15,000. The "value of person goods" limit is 20,000 baht.

[DavidB]

On 5/24/2022 at 5:26 AM, Skip said:

Actually you are required as a tourist on with a visa to show that you have at least 20,000 Baht "cash" with you... rarely enforced... visa exempt you must show 10,000 Baht... CASH... not credit.

If the customs agent actually said that the limit was 20,000 Baht... he was flat out lying... however whatever you have of value over a certain limit (a limit as applied to goods which is muddy at best) must be declared on the declaration sheet that you fill out before arrival... ie... cash limit undeclared is apx 170,000 Baht... but you can bring more if you declare it ahead of time.

Almost every country has customs limits even on personal items... BUT only enforce it on competitive goods (goods being brought into the country which are also a mainstay of the country that you are entering)... I know... clear as mud.

The 20,000 baht limit is for the value of your possessions ...that doesn't include cash.
The undeclared cash limit is not 170,000 baht ... it is US$15,000 (516,375 baht).
And you don't have to declare it ahead of time; you declare it on arrival.
 

[DavidB]

On 5/24/2022 at 5:44 AM, Guest1 said:

Isn't that "more" equivalent of max. 20k US$ all together?

And Thai cash in pocket, landborder, max 500k, flying to/from further away countries only 50k?

There is no limit on how much foreign currency can be brought IN or OUT.
If over US$15,000, it must be declared.


And no, there is no limit to how much Thai currency that can be brought IN.

These are the limits on taking Thai currency OUT:
 - Thailand's neighbouring countries: 2,000,000 baht
 - Yunan province, China: 2,000,000 baht
 - Vietnam 2,000,000 baht
 - All other counties: 50,000 baht

If over 450,000 baht, it must be declared.

[Skip]

2 hours ago, DavidB said:

Incorrect  The cash reporting limit is US$15,000.

If you carry any foreign currency of more than USD 20,000 into or out of Thailand, you need to file a report to the Customs Department. This report is required by the “Ministerial Regulation (No. 25) B.E. 2530 issued under the Authority of the Currency Exchange Control Act B.E. 2485 and relevant regulations.

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

On 5/23/2022 at 2:57 PM, Thaiger said:

A Thai woman was fined 54,000 baht at Suvarnabhumi Airport for wearing designer brands and travelling with luxury products in her luggage.

And how many engaged, married woman holiday in Thailand? Will they all be fined for bringing their expensive rings into the country ….. or have not the Thai Government thought of this …… yet?