Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

What Can't I bring back with me??

Country forums / Thailand / Thailand

I believe I read somewhere you can't bring any Budda statues out of Thailand (right?).
What else are you not allowed to take out of Thailand?
AND
What are you not allowed to bring INTO Thailand?

thanks.

You can take religious artifacts out of Thailand. You just need to get an export permit first.

1

Hi,

An Export Permit - sounds a lot of trouble for Buddha Head(s) (religous artifacts etc)...

Where, how, and how much, does such permit be issued from/by?

I too, am wanting to send such items home?

OzScott

2

Keep in mind that the permit is exactly what it says it is, the exporting of religious artifacts. Don;'t try doing it without one, or it will cause you far more trouble than simply getting one ever would. What are you not allowed to bring in ? The usual things. You are not supposed to bring in any food, plant of animal matter, but Customs inspections are few and far between from what l have seen. l also don't attempt to bring in any of these things, so l am not the right person to ask / give advice on this issue.

3

at the risk of sounding like i like to run with scissors, i've left thailand four times with buddha images and never had a problem. exactly what is the penalty and how likely is it to be incurred?

don't bring in any clips of cnn interviews with thaksin. the junta's a bit reluctant to share all information :(

4

It's against Thai law to bring into the country any "obscene" articles. So leave your pornography and sex toys (dildos, vibrators, inflatable dolls, etc. at home). Thailand is a sexually conservative country.

5

I thought the Buddha export law only related to actual artifacts/antiques? And where does one get one of the permits?

6

I would like to know as well where to get a permit and do they cost $$?

7

I also have to put my hands up and say i committed a crime, I brought back a silver budha statue and never got questioned! But to be honest until now I didnt know I was committing a crime .

8

The meat and potatoes...

An export permit should be obtained from the government office or shop concerned when purchasing items such as Buddha images, antiques,and leather products or other wildlife products.

All religious artefacts require a permit regardless of their age and value.

9

Are "Ramakian" masks considered religious artifacts?? I want to locate some of these along with Phi Ta Khon masks.

10