I am planning a trip to thailand and I found on the net that there is a customs regulation limiting the entrance of only one camera and five rolls of film per person. Are they for real??? I visited Nepal and they did have a similar limitation for one camera and 15 rolls of film I was carrying 70! and two Leica bodies , I passed through customs without declaring them. But that's a risk I don't want to take again, as that time it was a surprise for me. Any experience on this subject?

-- Marco Hidalgo (marco_hidalgo@hotmail.com), February 25, 2002

Answers

I wouldn't give it a thought, I've done a fair amount of travelling and have never had a problem. Just tell them you're a pro or something. In fact I have never heard of a pro ever being stopped for that at customs anywhere. But that's just me, one person.

-- dave yoder (lists@daveyoder.com), February 25, 2002.

I have lived in Thailand for a few months and visited it about twenty times. I have never been asked to open my bags in the border and I really don't believe the border control would cause any trouble. Thailand lives on tourism and is a free country as well.

I think the ruling is in place just in case someone tries to bring in a large number of unused cameras to sell in Thailand. If you have a reasonable amount of 'user' cameras, say not more than 3-4 bodies, it can't be a problem and if you want to be sure, you can remove your film from the paper boxes as well.

Have a nice trip!

Ilkka

-- Ilkka Kuusisto (ikuu65@hotmail.com), February 25, 2002.

Thanks for your advice, I will just enjoy my trip then.

-- Marco Hidalgo (marco_hidalgo@hotmail.com), February 26, 2002.

I am a native Thai people. I have never heard of that kind of customs regulation.

Have a nice trip in my country.

-- Anupun Sra-ium (anupun@infodara.com), February 27, 2002.

Marco,

When I worked in Thailand (twice - great place/people) I carried several (4-5) cameras, lenses and film, no problem. Although the authorities wouldn't let me use my Hassy SWC in the Grand Palace; too "professional".

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), February 27, 2002.