Traveling to Thailand, a vacation in this exotic Land of Smiles does not surprise anyone. But in order that the rest does not turn into a nightmare, it is better to prepare in advance and study both the customs and the laws of these parts. Especially you need to pay attention to the fact that you can not export from Thailand. After all, you don’t want trouble at customs?
Of course, there are people who hope for chance or for the ubiquitous corruption. But then this article is not for them. Many tourists, buying souvenirs in shops or in markets, have no idea that this can create problems for them when they are exported. Incorrect advice can give even Russian guides. It is no secret that often the main thing is to sell your product, and there, as they say, out of sight, out of mind. We want to help tourists not to get into a mess and briefly outline here the legislation of Thailand in the field of what is prohibited for export.
Works of art
Many people buy Buddha images in Thailand as a reminder of their stay in this country. But remember that figurines (both Gautam and Bodhisattvas) can be exported from the country only those that are smaller than fifteen centimeters in size. As a rule, just such consumer goods are sold in all markets and in souvenir shops. If the figurine or part of it is greater than the specified height, then the thing is prohibited for export.
The same goes for the bowls that serve the monks for alms. This is because such an export is considered an insult to the feelings of believers. An exception is made only for scientists, monks, priests, religious scholars - in short, those who need such things for research or religious purposes. But for this you need to get a special license.
What else can not be exported from Thailand? Gems that have not been processed, sanded and are not rimmed. You will also not be able to take gold bars and any jewelry made of platinum, stamps, antiques, works of art (even reproductions) without a license.
Exotic souvenirs
Let's talk about the fact that it is impossible to export from Thailand from natural materials. There are many corals in this country, but just like in Egypt, you will not be allowed to take them unpunished with impunity. If you bought jewelry from this material, then there will be no problems. Although you should not buy products from coral and shells too large. And then you can attract excessive attention of customs officers. You should not try to pack and stuffed any animals, if you do not have a special permit certificate.
Snakes, turtles, elephants, crocodiles
Items made from snake and crocodile skin cannot be transported home only if you have too many of them. After all, there are many farms in the country where these animals are raised, and most of the products from them are sold legally. But ivory or tortoise shell is strictly prohibited. This applies to any products made from these materials. Their export is illegal. An elephant in Thailand is a sacred animal, and hunting or killing it is against the law. Therefore, you can’t even buy such products in this country, this is a crime. Neither tusks, nor their elements, nor carved jewelry, nor bracelets, nor necklaces, nor rings. All this is illegal and relates to the fact that it is impossible to export from Thailand to Russia and other countries.
Turtles around the world are threatened with destruction due to pollution of sea water, industrial fishing and poaching. Therefore, they are protected by Thai law. And even if you see combs, combs and jewelry from tortoise shell on night wounds, you will have to resist this temptation.
Other animals and plants
Very often orchids are brought from this exotic country. But often this happens in violation of the law. Be aware that you cannot export plants or any parts of them that are still growing from Thailand unless you have documents or a license. Therefore, only cut orchids, without roots, can be legally packed in luggage or cabin baggage.
Animals that belong to rare or endangered species are not allowed to be exported in any case. First of all, it is a seahorse. When dried, it is often sold (and bought) in Thailand. But the scanner at customs will perfectly illuminate its silhouette. Therefore, if you really want to, buy traditional Thai medicines, which include seahorse powder.
What kind of fruit can not be exported from Thailand
First of all, this is durian. Of course, this fruit is a symbol of Southeast Asia. Some people hate it. Others are called the king of fruits. But be that as it may, you and Durian will not be allowed on the plane. The laws of the country do not say anything that you do not have the right to take it, but the rules of the airlines in this case are very strict.
Why can not take durian from Thailand? Yes, just for its murderous smell. After all, the slightest damage - and the whole room smells so that you cannot kill this amber with a freshener within a few days, or even more. To all this weathered, it will take at least a week. Who will take such a risk? But dried durian or jam from it can be taken into luggage, but not in hand luggage.
But there is one more fruit that cannot be taken out of Thailand by plane. Rather, it’s even a berry or gourd - a watermelon (not sliced, but whole). If you are traveling by other means of transport, for example, by a cruise ship, please. But on a plane, because of the pressure difference, a watermelon can explode and cause damage to both your belongings and the luggage of your neighbors. Therefore, this berry, as a rule, is seized during customs inspection. The remaining fruits can be taken out. But this does not mean that you will not have problems when you return home. It turns out that you cannot import fruits from Southeast Asia into Russia. True, many do this at the risk of confiscation.
King property
Have you read the Russian Constitution? It says that all land belongs to the state. But in Thailand, it is the property of the king. And this is true, not just words. Therefore, neither buy nor export it. Land can only be rented, and if you take it abroad, then this is equivalent to theft. The same applies to sand. No matter how beautiful and snow-white he may be, you can not take it with you. After all, sand is also a part of the earth. By the way, sometimes it can’t even be taken from some beaches that are located in protected areas. If you come across a special guard who discovers such a souvenir, you will be punished before you reach customs.
An unexpected ban: coconuts
But not only land and sand cannot be taken with you as souvenirs. Another amazing moment for us is coconuts. They are prohibited from packing in baggage or hand luggage of the aircraft in any form - both green and ripe. Why can’t you take coconuts out of Thailand by air? Because they are not visible through the scanner and it is impossible to understand whether there is something illegal inside or not. Therefore, before, when coconuts could be carried on an airplane, they were often used for illegal transportation of drugs, counterfeit money, small-caliber weapons, explosives, and so on.
Illegal Punishment
Of course, it is far from always that Thai customs officers rummage around in all things of passengers and seize illegal objects and substances. But keep in mind that scanners work at any airport that you can’t deceive. Moreover, your things are revealed three times - when you enter the airport, during customs control and after baggage drop-off.
Suppose you do not know that you cannot export from Thailand. The list of such illegal things, however, hangs at the customs, and you will not get off with statements about your ignorance. Therefore, they will be seized, and you will be fined a large amount. Moreover, if suddenly your already packed suitcases cause the suspicion of customs officers or border guards, they will open it, but they are unlikely to hurry to put it back. Therefore, your things may just not get home safe and sound.
There are times when customs officers, in a good mood, allow themselves to close their eyes for a certain bribe, and you — to take out an illegal object. But they can also create a scandal, confiscate counterfeit goods, fine and stamp the passport on violation of export rules. But this is already serious. Therefore, it is better to be law-abiding. Moreover, for the removal of land in general, you can get a prison sentence.