Thailand - SMB world travel experts?

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Nelson! said:
Cheers @Flavonoids and @GTG .....very helpful. I'm going to pick up one of those SIM cards, be good to have internet access if we need it...especially as we'll be doing a bit of work while we're away. Can you make international calls with one of those cards too?

The bit i'm most intimidated by is getting from BKK to a hotel with the boxes of sculptures in tact at 11pm. We're planning on just booking a hotel relatively close by and jumping in a cab at the airport, any recommendations or advice on avoiding hassle?

Also, Flav.....i think you mentioned you'd been to Khao Sok, any tours or anything in particular you'd recommend or suggest avoiding? The tree houses we've booked look great, they're a bit pricey (by Thai standards) but as someone else is paying for flights and everything we thought we'd just live it up a bit ;)
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Afraid not ... I'm not the organised tour type, I was there cycling through from the gulf down to the Andaman. My advice is go with the flow, relax, eat drink and enjoy.

As for the airport ... cabs are plenty and cheap in comparison to here. The 'limousine' services will take you into most every hotel in Bangers for about £16 and you'll be straight into one (with a pre-paid ticket from one of the desks) ... a normal cab is probably about £6-£8, and again, will take you to your hotel no bother. If you're not planning on heading into Bangers until you've dropped off your booty then I'd say get a cab straight to Chonburi ... it's probably about the same amount of time and you're done and can't settle for a bit kip and everything is sorted ... or if the bloke is sending a car, get that sorted, get down there and hand over your stuff before the hotel, then relax.
 
....bit of an update....and a request for some more advice.

Our trip/travel is all set and we can't wait.

The only complication is customs at Bangkok airport. We're bringing the artwork as carry-on luggage packed in boxes. We will undoubtedly have to pay some import duty but we're struggling to find info on what method of payment they take at customs.

Anyone brought anything in they had to declare before and know what the situation is? Anything beyond an invoice showing the price of the pieces we'll need to show on arrival?

Cheers @Flavonoids @GTG and co for any additional info!
 
Nelson! said:
....bit of an update....and a request for some more advice.

Our trip/travel is all set and we can't wait.

The only complication is customs at Bangkok airport. We're bringing the artwork as carry-on luggage packed in boxes. We will undoubtedly have to pay some import duty but we're struggling to find info on what method of payment they take at customs.

Anyone brought anything in they had to declare before and know what the situation is? Anything beyond an invoice showing the price of the pieces we'll need to show on arrival?

Cheers @Flavonoids @GTG and co for any additional info!
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I've no idea I'm afraid!

There may be help on here ... looks like you get a couple of free lookups;

http://www.dutycalculator.com/hs-co...ures-statuary/9703.00.0000/9703.00.0000/2564/

Or ring / mail the embassy and try and get them to give you info (good luck :D );

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/59

Or just hope you get through undetected.
 
Flavonoids said:
I've no idea I'm afraid!

There may be help on here ... looks like you get a couple of free lookups;

http://www.dutycalculator.com/hs-co...ures-statuary/9703.00.0000/9703.00.0000/2564/

Or ring / mail the embassy and try and get them to give you info (good luck :D );

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/59

Or just hope you get through undetected.
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Cheers Flav!

The buyer has paid the import duty in advance, so we're hoping if we just go to the customs officials and offer them the cash they'll be happy enough to let us through no bother.

All of the info online is (deliberately i think) vague so I might give them a call and hope to have more luck.

What we're really worried about is that either us, or the items, get detained!
 
Nelson! said:
Cheers Flav!

The buyer has paid the import duty in advance, so we're hoping if we just go to the customs officials and offer them the cash they'll be happy enough to let us through no bother.

All of the info online is (deliberately i think) vague so I might give them a call and hope to have more luck.

What we're really worried about is that either us, or the items, get detained!
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Ah, I see ... aye, if you want to be legal I suppose it's goods to declare and pay up ... though they may try to have your eyes out!

I'd probably ask your buyer to send through a mail for you describing his purchase / price etc. in Thai for them, as well as the bill of sale etc. ... and also his number so that they / you can call him if you think it's necessary ... much easier to have a native talking to them. Whatever happens ... don't get annoyed and wound up .... some of them love / dislike that and become even more belligerent :D I'm sure it'll be fine though, and I hope you have a great trip.
 
I think you're right to be cautious, especially as whatever it might say SHOULD happen on those websites may count for little in somewhere like Thailand. Have you been watching the recent 'Bangkok Airport' series?!?

Flav's suggestion about the e-mail sounds like a good idea. I'd only be guessing so I've posed your questions to a group of largely Thai-based mates whose collective experiences should come up with something useful.
 
peachbum said:
Where else have you cycled (round the world wise)?
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:D nowhere touring (unfortunately) ... just SE Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Nam). There's time yet though, old age is merely a state of mind. I've cycled in France and Spain and Slovenia and Norway too ... but not with my life on the back of my bike.
 
Flavonoids said:
:D nowhere touring (unfortunately) ... just SE Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Nam). There's time yet though, old age is merely a state of mind. I've cycled in France and Spain and Slovenia and Norway too ... but not with my life on the back of my bike.
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Did you see that programme about two years ago? re the man who climbed a mountain in Alaska then cycled down to south Chile somewhereand then climbed another mountain. It looked great fun! (hard when the wind was in his face though). I like cycling but don't like wind/rain or hills so I just stick to my daily flat commute to work.

Do I remember that you cycle(d) up Mount Teide?
 
peachbum said:
Did you see that programme about two years ago? re the man who climbed a mountain in Alaska then cycled down to south Chile somewhereand then climbed another mountain. It looked great fun! (hard when the wind was in his face though). I like cycling but don't like wind/rain or hills so I just stick to my daily flat commute to work.

Do I remember that you cycle(d) up Mount Teide?
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I think I may have ... Seen the programme, I've never been to the canaries so not me on the mountain.

Flat is better than nowt ... Do what you enjoy :D
 
Some thoughts here:

I've only exported similar stuff, not imported, so no idea, Bill of Sale is ok, BUT the value on it will be the amount the Customs people, if they catch them, would charge the VAT, Handling, Duty on, so keep that small.

Frankly I'd just do as said, hand carry. If asked, make them presents, with value $50, I doubt unless it's Asian/Thai art Customs would know.

If it's Asian or Thai art that could raise red flags,

While Satellite gear is pretty obvious, Art I think would be harder for them to judge.
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As you may know, I do often fly as a courier (Atlanta tonight from BKK) but have little experience with art objects. Most of what I carry are rather mundane electronic or auto components. Customs paperwork is prepared for me in advance and if a small amount, they will just give me the cash to pay. If larger or more complicated, a customs broker will usually meet me at the destination and will take care of whatever needs to be done. Duty is usually paid in the local currency. They will be able to change their UK Pounds in the baggage claim area of Survanabhumi as there is a Kiosk and ATM there.

First question is how large are these statues and what material are they made of? If they are small and decorative, I would imagine they would attract little attention...as was suggested, a "Gift". If they are large...say more than 16" tall..they might invite scrutiny. The propensity of smugglers to use art objects as containers for hidden contraband may also cause them to be closely examined.

If they are dense metal such as Bronze, they will be checked out whether in checked baggage or hand baggage when going through security.

If they are really concerned and want to do all on the "Up & Up", then contacting a customs broker in Bangkok would be helpful but probably somewhat expensive. ***** ***** could probably provide a name. I'll ask him if you wish.

My personal opinion is that if they just declare a value of a couple of hundred pounds, they will pass with little question. In all my 100+ trips through the Green Zone of Customs, I have never been checked, but then, I usually only have a single backpack when returning.
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bryc1 said:
I wish id gone for the scenery etc rather than Pattaya like. It was awful bucking lasses for a fortnight :( 10 years ago we went and felt like id wasted an opportunity to see a stunning country.
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That's why I done it for my honeymoon a few years after my lads holiday. Stunning places to visit, seen Bangkok rather than straight to Pattaya, flew south and stayed at Phi Phi islands for a few night (heaven) then back up north and stayed at Pattaya for a few nights, we were ment to head north but she loved it there so we seen the remained out in the Amari hotel :D

AndrewP said:
It's a bit on the seedy side like!!
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Easy to avoid, walking street is a bit seedy but decent for food and drinking. It's been a few years since I've been but I think it was soi 6 the place to go (so avoid that as well)
 
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safcforever said:
Easy to avoid, walking street is a bit seedy but decent for food and drinking. It's been a few years since I've been but I think it was soi 6 the place to go (so avoid that as well)
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The whole place is seedy. Soi 6, 7, 7.5, 8, walking street, the lot.

I'd say it's impossible to avoid in Pattaya, unless you stay in the Dusit and never leave, even then you'll get old men and their "dates" walking in.
 
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