When entering Singapore on 17th April 2008, I was investigated by two Singaporean policemen. And when leaving the airport in Bangkok on 19th April 2008, I was stopped by Thai authorities.
"Please follow me," ordered by a Thai man accompanied by two Thai women at the airport.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Not much," he smiled, "What are inside the boxes you're carrying?"
"Hmm...MP3 recorders I've bought from Singapore," I replied shakily.
"We're afraid you have to open the boxes for us to see," he commanded.
I dutifully followed his order. After examination what were inside the boxes and asking several questions about my identity, he said, "I'm afraid you may have to pay taxes for those items you've bought."
"But I have already paid tax in Singapore and I've bought these items for my community radio; I'm not making money from these," I explained to him, trying to sound and look innocent as possible (you know how good I am at faking or manipulating it). " Please! I really do this for my community and I don't have much money left to go home," I begged him for 'sympathy' and 'mercy'.
"Ok, you know what? This time I will let you go. But next time, if I see you again with the bought items, you have to pay taxes, " he said, " You know why I'm letting you go this time?"
I didn't offer the answer to his question but chose to smile at him instead. Then he answered his own question:
"First, you don't know about it (that when you buy goods, you have to pay tax!); second, you do this (purchasing of equipment) for your community, and; third, because I am kind, " he concluded.
I said 'thanks' to him few times and promised to him that this would not happen again in the future. He said 'welcome' and walked away.
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3 comments:
interesting that they targeted you, most of the people who have encountered such 'checks' as they leave Suvarnabhumi have been farang. can take a look at this site: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1418923&start=30&tstart=0
especially message #42:
Update: Apparently this story has now made it onto local Thai forums and the Thais have this to say...
The ones in blue uniforms are from Excise Department, not Customs. And Customs are responsible for international airports, while Excise Department are responsible for the rest of the country.
If the men in blue uniforms were really from Excise Department and demanded a search in an international airport's area, they didn't have the right to do so.
It appears then that these were genuine Excise Officers moonlighting in order to extort money from arriving passengers.
It explains why they were behaving strangely and why they weren't interested in my suitcase or carry on baggage.
Needless to say I will be writing to and calling, both the English language papers as well as both Customs and Excise to seek a full explanation and to complain.
the comment is surely helpful to warn me about a possible situation happening.
excise person or not, he still was really kind to understand that you're bringing the mp3s for the community.
I think it helps if you remain calm, apologetic, and polite. Sometimes these people are just doing their work. So just try to be cooperative.
I was lucky that he let me go otherwise I would be damn broke (if I were to pay taxes for my MP3 recorders and other electronic items).
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