Dear Travelers, March is a good time to be in Thailand as the country moves into its sunny summer season. The weather offers the perfect incentive to hit the beach and enjoy the great outdoors. From the sandy beaches of Ko Samui in the south to the hill trekking excitement of Chiang Mai in the north, Thailand has something for everyone. An added bonus is that hotel room rates tend to be slightly lower this month than in the previous four months, making the country a very affordable option for that short getaway holiday. As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, we promise to reveal even more new products and services, making Thailand an irresistible destination. An online Thailand specialist program and joint promotion opportunities are on the way. Feel free to contact us for more details. Sincerely, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya Director TAT New Delhi Office   Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni Appointed New TAT Governor   A veteran of the travel and tourism industry, Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, has been appointed the new Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Mr. Svetasreni, the eighth governor since the founding of the national tourism organization in 1960, officially assumes his duties for a four-year term from 1 January onwards. Read more TAT Celebrates Golden Jubilee Anniversary In 2010.   In 2010, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will celebrate its Golden Jubilee, marking the 50th anniversary of its establishment. Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing, said that the TAT will mark the event with a Mega Fam Trip that will show invited travel industry executives and media a new side of the Kingdom. Read more Thailand Events 6th WORLD THAI MARTIAL ARTS FESTIVAL AND WAI KHRU MUAY THAI CEREMONY NAI KHANOM TOM DAY – TRIBUTE TO A MUAY THAI FOLK HERO March 10 – 17, 2010 The ancient capital of Ayutthaya is home to the annual World Thai Martial Arts Festival and Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony. Read more   PATTAYA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 At the Pattaya Beach, Pattaya city 18.00 Hrs. – Midnight Contact information: Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 1516, (0) 3842 3990, (0) 3842 8750   THE 2010 KING'S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT March 22 – 28 2010 At Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai Spectator entrance is free. Read more   To view the entire list of events please click here       Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni Appointed New TAT Governor   TAT Celebrates Golden Jubilee Anniversary In 2010   Thailand Events         Amazing Value only in Amazing Thailand     Visit Thailand from your desktop     The Royal Thai Embassy wishes to inform the public that the tourist visa fee exemption scheme, which was terminated on 4th March, 2010 has been renewed and started again for the period of 11th May, 2010 to 31 March 2011. The said scheme also covers exemption of the fee for Visa on Arrival (VOA) provided by the Immigration Bureau of Thailand at designated check points. However, the exemption scheme is not extended to other types of visas, i.e. non-immigrant visa and transit visa. Read more                 New Delhi B-9/1A Ground Floor, Vasant Vihar New Delhi-110057 Tel : 91-11-41663567-69, 46741111 Fax : 91-11-41663570   E-mail:tatdel@tat.or.th Visit us at www.amazingthailand.co.in

THAILAND CUSTOM FORMALITIES AND INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE AND EXCHANGE CONTROLS FOR VISITORS ARRIVING IN THAILAND

 

Date : 23 June 2010

FOR INBOUND PASSENGERS

To facilitate and expedite the clearance of passengers, the International Airport Customs Offices nationwide have Customs inspectors on duty to assist passengers at both the "Red" and "Green Channels".

Green Channel:
Nothing to Declare

DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE AND EXCHANGE CONTROLS FOR VISITORS ARRIVING IN THAILAND

The duty free allowance will be applied to accompanied personal effects up to Baht 10,000 worth if:

• The items are intended for your own personal or professional use.
• The quantity is reasonable.
• The items are not subject to prohibition or restriction.

TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

There are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars and smoking tobacco to which you may include in your duty free personal exemption as follows:

• 1 litre of spirituous liquor
• No more than 200 cigarettes
• No more than 500 grams* of smoking tobacco (includes cigars)

200 cigarettes and cigars or smoking tobacco each or in total must not exceed 500 grams*

Individuals found to be in possession of smoking tobacco (includes cigars) in excess of 500 grams, and without duty stamps affixed, will be fined 4,675 baht per carton (10 packs).

*Note: Most recent information as of July 2009– revised from 250 grams as indicated in the Customs Department of the Kingdom of Thailand web site

Items exceeding this amount must be dropped in the Customs boxes to avoid being prosecuted.

Note: If you are uncertain about the status of your belonging, please kindly proceed to the Red Channel.

Warning: Customs Bureau emphatically serve passengers' convenience by not checking all passengers passing through the Green Channel but randomly check in accordance with internationally recognized standards for custom formalities.

Personal effects do not include motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts regardless of the length of time used and owned.

Contact information:
For enquiries on goods not in the range of duty exemption, please contact
The Permit Division, Excise Department, Ministry of Finance
Tel: +66 (0) 2241 5600 - 19
Fax: +66 (0) 2243 6241
Web site: http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/indexEng.jsp

CUSTOMS INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Traveller/TravelEng.jsp?menuNme=Travel

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

CURRENCY LIMITATION

FOR THAI CURRENCY

Travellers can take a maximum of 50,000 Baht per person out of the country without authorization. Upon departure, the amount of Baht 50,000 or more must be reported to Customs.

However, individuals travelling to Lao PDR., Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam can take Thai currency of up to 500,000 Baht to these neighbouring countries without authorization.

FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY

Foreign tourists may freely bring to the Kingdom of Thailand foreign banknotes or other types of foreign exchange.

Taking foreign currency that exceeds US$ 20,000 into or out of Thailand must be declared at the Customs Office upon arrival or departure.

Foreign Currency Declaration

As from 24 February 2008, under the relevant Thai law, any foreigner who brings or takes an aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding USD 20,000 or its equivalent into or out of the Kingdom of Thailand shall declare such amount of foreign currency to a Customs Officer.

Failure to declare upon bringing foreign currency that exceeds the amount restricted by law or its equivalent out of or into the Kingdom of Thailand or making any false declaration to a Customs Officer is a criminal offence.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2634.php

Upon leaving Thailand, a foreign tourist may freely take with them the foreign means of payment they brought in, with the exception that foreign notes or coins do not exceed the equivalent of US$ 20,000, or the amount declared in writing to customs upon arrival.

Foreign visitors may convert Thai Baht into foreign currency for the purposes of outbound travel so long as they present proof such as currency exchange receipt, a valid airline ticket and passport to any major bank.

THAI CUSTOMS INFORMATION FOR VISITORS ARRIVING IN THAILAND

FOR INBOUND PASSENGERS

To facilitate and expedite the clearance of passengers, the International Airport Customs Offices all over the country provide Customs inspectors to assist passengers at both the "Red and Green Channels".

Green Channel
Inbound passengers with nothing to declare walk through the “Nothing to Declare” exit (Green Channel); or

Red Channel
Inbound passengers with something to declare e.g. dutiable items, prohibited/ restricted goods, etc. or you are unsure which exit to use, go through the "Goods to Declare" exit (Red Channel).

If you need help clearing Customs, please do not hesitate to ask the Customs inspectors for assistance.

RED CHANNEL

Goods to Declare

Dutiable items

• Items that you did not have when you left Thailand and their quantities are not reasonable for personal use or/and the total value of belongings is more than 10,000 baht.
• Items that are intended for commercial use, business, or trade purposes e.g. moulds

Prohibited items
These are goods for which either the import into or export out of the Kingdom is prohibited, for example —

Narcotics
Narcotic offenders shall face severe penalty including a possible death sentence for possession, consumption and/or the manufacture of drugs.The violation of laws related to illicit drugs includes having and holding for use, or being a producer, seller, or transporter.

• Obscene items, and publications
• Counterfeit goods and pirated items
• Counterfeit notes and coins
• Protected wildlife
• Firearms

The importation of firearms and ammunition can be done only after a permit has been obtained from the Police Department or Registration Office.Web site: www.tourist.police.go.th

Restricted items
These are goods the import and export of which is restricted by law and therefore require a permit from the related government agencies.

The following examples require a permit from the government agency in order to lodge the Customs formalities:

Items	Controlling organizations
* Buddha images, religious or ancient arts, and antiques	Department of Fine Arts
* Weapons, bullets, and explosive devices	Office of National Police
* Plants and planting materials	Department of Agriculture
* Live Animals, pets, and animals products	Department of Live Stock Development
* Food and drugs	Food and Drug Administration
* Automobile parts	Ministry of Industry
* Cigars, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverage	Excise Department
* Wireless transmitters and receivers, telecommunication equipments	The National Telecommunications Commission

If the total value of a passenger's accompanied items is more than 80,000 Baht, the passenger is required to do the Customs formalities at Customs Formality section.

Penalties for Failure to Declare

It will lead to a fine amounting to four times the value of undeclared items plus tax and duty, or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both. Such undeclared items are confiscated.

Source: Thai Customs Department
http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Traveller/TravelEng.jsp?menuNme=Travel#9

FOR OUTBOUND PASSENGERS

Outbound Passengers with Expensive Items Intended for Re-Importation
If you are departing Thailand with certain items e.g. cameras, video cameras, laptop computers, tape recorders, etc. and you intend to bring them back in Thailand, register these items- as long as they have serial numbers or other unique, permanent, marking items- with Customs at the departure airport after checking in and receiving a boarding pass. The customs officials will record the exportation of such personal items intending for re-importation. All items registered will be allowed duty free entry when you return to Thailand.

Outbound Passengers with Jewellery
Outbound passengers carrying jewellery intended for export themselves are required to complete Customs formalities before their departure at the Customs Airport Office.

Outbound Passengers with Goods under Tax/Duty Drawback Scheme
"Re-Importation Certificates" are required to complete formal customs formalities before their departure at the Customs Airport Office.

It is illegal to take or send out of Thailand restricted and/or prohibited items e.g. Buddha images, protected wildlife, illegal drugs, fake notes and coins, obscene items, pornography etc. Customs will seize any of restricted/prohibited items. Outbound passengers convicted for any of these offences will be subject to fine and imprisonment. Additionally, please note the currency limitation.

For further details, please visit:
Thai Customs Department http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Traveller/TravelEng.jsp?menuNme=Travel#9