Import regulations by Thailand customs

Imports:

Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or smoking tobacco
Alcohol: 1 litre of spirituous liquor.
200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or equal weight of cigars; 1l of alcoholic liquor; one still camera with five rolls of film or one movie camera with three rolls of 8mm or 16mm film.

Export regulations by Thailand customs

Exports:
Prohibited:
meat and milk products
firearms, weapon
explosive products
pharmaceuticals and drugs
radioactive elements
Pornography

The import of non-prescribed drugs and all firearms and ammunition is prohibited. Gold bullion must be declared on arrival and can be left at the airport of entry to be retrieved on departure. The import of meat from any country affected by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow and foot and mouth diseases; the measure covers meat from all 15 EU countries and any other infected country
The import of heroin may result in imprisonment for life or even death penalty
Dogs and cats also need a rabies certificate. Any person wishing to import or transit animals or birds into/through Thailand should confirm prior to transportation the exact flight itinerary and arrival date, together with details of the animal(s)

Other Thailand customs information

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. Countries and areas included in endemic zones are considered to be infected areas.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Thailand. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural areas throughout the country, especially in forested and hilly areas and around the international borders. There is no risk in cities and the main tourist resorts, eg Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Samui. The malignant falciparum form is present and is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Resistance to mefloquine and to quinine has been reported from areas near the borders with Myanmar and Cambodia.

Food drink: Food and water-borne diseases are common. Use only bottled or otherwise sterilised (eg boiled) water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice. Unpasteurised milk should also be boiled, although pasteurised or homogenised milk is available from some dairies. Tinned or powdered milk is safe as long as it is reconstituted with sterile water. Beware of dairy products that may have been made with unboiled milk. Stick to meat and fish that have been well cooked, preferably served hot, but not reheated. Avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit.

Other risks: Amoebic and bacillary dysentery and hepatitis A and E may occur. Hepatitis B is highly endemic and trachoma is also reported. Japanese encephalitis may occur, particularly in rural areas. A vaccine is available, and travellers are advised to consult their doctor prior to departure. Precautions should be taken to guard against mosquito bites due to the risk of this disease and dengue fever. There has been an increase in the reported cases of Dengue Fever since January 2005, espeacially in Southern Thailand and areas bordering Malaysia. HIV infection is rife in Thailand, especially among prostitutes in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Rare cases of Bengal Cholera have been reported and an outbreak of leptospiros in the northeast of the country, following flooding in 1999 caused a number of deaths.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Note: Those suspected or confirmed of carrying AIDS will be refused entry.

Health Care: Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good in main centres. All major hotels have doctors on call.