Bangkok Travel Forum

Recently passing through Bangkok airport on the way to Perth Australia, i purchased shower gel, boarding card was checked and cash taken.
Arriving at gate to board. my purchase was taken from me as Australia will not accept liquid content of more than 50ml.i was informed. Goods were in a sealed airport bag, if unable to proceed with purchase why was i allowed to buy it as boarding card says exactly where i am flying to. I feel as though i have been robbed, purchase price not enormous but i have been cheated nethertheless.
Has anyone else been caught out this way. What happens to these goods, who profits.

I haven't been thru those areas recently, myself, but have been told everywhere I do travel since the liquids restriction that something bought as you described ARE allowable, as long as they are kept in the sealed bag provided at purchase.

I agree, it doesn't seem correct, if it was still in the sealed bag.

I passed through Bangkok airport in April and bought some items. May not have been fair but sounds like yo may be SOL.

This seems to be common practice. I had a similar experience in Singapore and had stuff (2 bottles of Johnny Walker Black) confiscated at Narita Airport in Tokyo. Likewise, Iceland will not allow for the import of liquids from North America.

Consistent rules would be nice...

Hi!
Hmmm, nowadays it is difficult to buy liquid during transit.
When I bought a liquid soap in Suvanaphum airport in Bangkok,
the store staff put the bottle into a transparent plastic bag and sealed it.
But when she saw my boarding pass (bound for Osaka Japan via Manila), she said that Manila airport won't allow me to bring the bottle again into the plane.
She gave me back the money.

My opinion is...the stores should not sell liquid to transit passengers.
What do you think??

Ayurin

Bangkok seems to be VERY strict regarding this practice. The very same thing happened to me last year- I THREW A MASSIVE HISSY FIT and demanded to see 'someone in charge' - who then came along, and argued more with me. I absolutely refused to give it up. Well. the hissy fit worked, and I got to take my purchase (perfume) on board. LOL!!!
The big question IS- what happens to all the confiscated items? No wonder the ground staff ladies smell good in Bangkok.

Duty Free, and most other retailers, will sell whatever they can. Their stance would be that it is your responsibility to know the regulations where you travel.

The "security" checks, before entering the gates, at least at Swampy, are another thing. I have had problems with their determination of "prohibited" items. After politely pointing out that their determination/conjecture was in error, I was allowed to proceed. It wouldn't surprise me if this has become a new scam. This sounds especially true in your case.

What "Australia" allows is none of their concern. Let "Australia" worry about that. Since most restrictions are based on the TSA standards, 100ml is the limit for flying. Since they cited the country, not the carrier, and half the limit, this scenario has BS written all over it.

http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/181
Thailand will start enforcing new restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels in hand-carried luggage on all commercial flights departing from airports nationwide in the next few weeks <<now some time back>>.

<SNIP>

It is likely to affect sales of popular airport duty-free purchases such as liquor, wine, perfume and lotions, Mr Chaisak <<DG Dept of Civil Aviation>> acknowleged.

It was unclear how King Power International would deal with the restriction which could seriously affect its main revenue stream, derived mostly from sales of alcoholic beverages and, to a certain extent, liquid-based cosmetic items.

King Power is the sole operator of duty-free stores at Thailand’s four international airports: Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hat Yai.

The most popular duty-free purchases at airports are alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and perfume which, according to industry estimates, could represent as much as 80% of King Power’s daily turnover.

While King Power executives could not be reached for comment yesterday, Airports of Thailand (AOT), the airlines and King Power are reportedly being asked to work out details and address potential inconveniences that passengers could face.

-----

So there you have it.

KING POWER DUTY FREE SHOPS.

Many of us in Thailand refuse to shop these stores when using the airport. Not that there is usually any benefit in doing so; their prices are often higher than prices elsewhere.

I wouldn't be surprised that in tact confiscated purchases find their way back onto KING POWER store's shelves.

Sorry to hear of your story. In future, avoid using KING POWER.

If your purchase was from one of the "Boots" outlets could I suggest you email the Head Office to inform them of what happened.

Ian Hunter
Managing Driector
Boots Retail International, Thailand

I havent been through Hong Kong Duty free recently but on my last trip in September 08 noticed a sign at the counter explaining liquid size restrictions for Australia. This was also confirmed by staff at the counter.

You may have been unlucky to deal with an inexperienced staff member who was not fully aware of the restrictions in place.

Hang on the liquids check is for unsealed items isn't it?
i.e. things ought outside the airport or pre-duty free area.

On the other matter of Bkk - I would agree that in Bkk there is little or no point in buying anything (apart from essentials) from the duty free zone there

Hi Ken

We recently returned to Perth from BKK also. I tried to buy a cosmetic item which was over 100ml at the Airport. The lady serving me asked where I was travelling to that day and when I told her, she informed me of the rules for travel to Australia. It seems that these rules apply to travel to some countries and not to others, so it's not the BKK staff, but rather inconsistent rules internationally. Having said that, I don't think a bottle of perfume would be a problem, but maybe a wacking great bottle of grog might be a different story.

Travelkat

Travelkat

I believe it is some restriction regarding flights to Australia and maybe some other countries. I was flying from BBK to Moscow few times and had never have problem like this.