CUSTOM

1. Thailand is a Buddhist country where Buddha images are held sacred. Sacrilegious acts are punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors.

2. Thai people hold their King and Queen and the Royal Family in great reverence, and so won't tolerate foreigners showing disrespect to them.

3. Dress properly when entering a Buddhist temple. Miniskirts and shorts are not allowed.  Take your shoes off before going inisde the hall of worship. Ladies must not on any account touch a Buddhist monk, give things direct to him or receive things direct from him.

4. Generally, Thai women are conservative. Don't touch them without their consent.

5. Intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in public. Sunbathing in the nude is prohibited.

6. Traditionally, Thais greet each other with a 'wai' (by pressing the palms together at the chest). If someone 'wais'  you, you shuold 'wai' back (except 'wai'ed by a child.

7. Thai people smile to express gladness and happiness, to thank for small services, to return the 'wai' (a way of greeting) of children and inferior persons, and even to excuse small inconveniences. 

8. Don't touch a person's head, nor ruffle his hair. The head is the noblest part of the body.

9. Avoid placing your feet on the table while sitting. Never use your foot to point things out or to touch any part of the body of anyone, which is considered rude.

CURRENCY LIMITATION AND MONEY EXCHANGE

1. Foreign Currency: Travellers bringing foreign currency more than USD20,000 or its equivalent into or out of Thailand are required to make a report to Customs.

The Regulation and Notification require that the travellers bringing foreign currency into or out of Thailand, both a banknote and a coin, with a total aggregate value exceeding USD 20,000 or its equivalent, must report it to a Customs officer at a port/airport of entry or exit, using the given Foreign Currency Declaration Form. The travellers must complete, sign and submit the Form to report their foreign currency where such currency are physically carried by a person arriving in or departing from Thailand.

2. Thai Currency: The amount of 50,000 Baht or more in Thai currency must be reported on departure, except those traveling to Lao PDR, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam are allowed to take out Thai currency not exceeding 500,000 Baht.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Prohibited Goods and Restricted goods

Prohibited goods are goods for which either the import into or export out of the Kingdom is prohibited, e.g. drugs, pornographic materials, counterfeit goods and pirated items, counterfeit notes, coins, bonds, Royal Seals and official seals, goods with the image of the Thai national flag, protected wild animals or related products, etc. Violators of laws related to illicit drugs, e.g. having and holding, holding for use, or being a producer, seller or transporter are subject to the death sentence.

Restricted goods are goods the import and export of which are restricted by law and therefore require a permit from the related government agencies. The following items require a permit from the government agency concerned in order to go through the Customs formalities:

1. Buddha images, relgious or ancient arts, and antiques (Department of Fine Arts)

2. Weapons, bullets and explosive devices (Ministry of Interior)

3. Plants and planting materials (Department of Agriculture)

4. Live Animals, pets and animal products (Department of Livestock Development)

5. Food, drugs, and supplementary products (Food and Drug Administration)

6. Automobile parts (Ministry of Industry)

7. Cigars, cigarettes, smoking tobacco and alcoholic beverages (limited amount) (Excise Department)

For further inquiries and information, you may contact the Customs ports of entry/exit or contact the Customs Call Center at Tel. 1164 or the Customs Clinic at Tel. 02667-7880 to 4.