BKK to x-ray inbound baggage

[reader]

From The Nation

The Customs Department will by year end complete installation of 23 x-ray machines above the baggage carousels at Suvarnabhumi Airport in a move to improve the efficiency of security checks of luggage of inbound passengers and to prevent goods smuggling. The machines will be switched on early next year.

“The machines will help improve the security check of luggage transported from inbound planes before the passengers can claim them,” Customs director-general Krisada Jinawijarana said on Friday. “At present we use the random check method by human staff, which results in smuggled goods being slipped through sometimes.”

Krisada noted that with the x-ray machines, customs officials can see what is in the luggage and immediately prompt the passengers to pay the Customs duty before leaving the airport“This measure is one of the policies assigned by the Ministry of Finance in order to improve the efficiency of tax collection,” he said.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said that in addition to installing the x-ray machines, he had also ordered the Customs Department to use internet technology systems to improve their working processes.

“The government aims to establish the National Single Window (NSW), a comprehensive network of import-export database that connects all related departments nationwide and with those of neighbouring countries,” he said.

“The system is scheduled to be up and running in three months and we only have two countries left to connect with – and that should also be finished by year-end.”

“As for the x-ray machines at Suvarnabhumi Airport, they will not only help with tax collection, but also prevent the smuggling of sensitive goods into the country, such as agricultural products, palm oil, fuel oil and drugs,” said Uttama.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30375894

[PeterRS]

I can see yet more lengthy queues as a result of this measure. If I have some medication in my case, how are the x-ray machines to know if this is prescribed medication and not illicit drugs in pill form? They can't. So how many inbound passengers will be stopped and asked to open bags unnecessarily? It just seems another exercise to put off tourists.

[kokopelli]

Generally it is recommended that meds be placed in your carry on luggage although there may be exceptions to that.

[PeterRS]

I typically carry not only essential meds but a number of others just in case I happen to need them and have difficulty finding them when I travel. Just basic things like a bottle of panadol tablets, several daily vitamin tablets, imodium in case of stomach upsets, mild sleeping tablets and so on. I may take a couple of each on a plane in a small clear container but I am not adding to my on board luggage by putting them in that. Another issue is booze. The booze stocked by most duty free outlets at airports is basically the same popular brands. In a city I will sometimes get a digestif or a bottle of sherry (have you ever seen a fino sherry in a duty free outlet in Asia) which will be considerably cheaper than if purchased in Thailand. That has to be packed in my checked luggage and will show up on the x-ray. I'll bet the eagle-eyed customs will demand the bag be opened and I will be asked why I did not carry it on board. They will then either charge duty on it or trash it. They will not be interested in finding out WHY it was not purchased at an airport after checkin.

I still see this as another waste of money with someone no doubt having received a very large brown envelope form the purchase of the machines. A bit like the army's very expensive hot air  observation balloon that just collapsed and died!