Author Topic: Fined 15,000 Baht for "smuggling" (Read 14938 times)

CO-CO · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2013, 08:39:55 AM »

Quote from: DeputyDavid on May 13, 2013, 10:51:27 PM

co-co.... So they took you to the police station and they (the customs agents) were given money, and you got a reciept. What happens next, is there a court date? Do you get to argue the case at all? Or is it just pay and be done. I ask only because if happens to me at least Ill understand the rules of the game. Thanks for the heads up regarding this.

I understand DD and the whole point of this is to try and make sure others don't make the same mistake as me. I also posted on ThaiVisa.com and there are over 100 posts on there containing more detail (including a guy who got pulled at the Prakhonchai traffic lights after buying THIS side of the border).

I believe I had two choices:-

(1) The favoured choice of the authorities - pay up today and everyone goes home.
(2) Take it to court, probably within the next week. During that time the car is impounded! I was also slightly fearful that if I tried too hard to call their bluff and I would have finished up 'inside'.

They are 100% genuine, have an office at the amphur building on the 24 road and every5thing was 'signed off' at Prakhonchai police station.

In my view it is embezzlement and I maintain that I broke no laws. I could go to a lawyer - probable cost, up to 20k. I could write to the head of Customs & Excise, the PM, my PM, Buddha and God - it would simply be a waste of time.

All that doesn't change the sense of frustration that I was 'wronged' and have no practical recourse.

But, if I can't do anything about it then it is no use crying over spilled milk. Grin and bear it, move on.

DeputyDavid · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2013, 10:50:37 AM »

Thanks co-co, I appreciate the honest answer. A friend wants to take me shopping over the border, but based on your experience, I think maybe not worth the effort, for me at least. I do understand your frustration over this experience, and thank you for sharing so we all can be a bit wiser.

gotlost · « **Reply #17 on:** May 14, 2013, 01:02:27 PM »

My wife is taking a very close friend (Cambodian national whose in Thailand on an Ed Visa to O'Smach to catch a bus. While there she will bring back 3 cans of Angkor beer (990ml) and a bunch of fresh French bread. No fags............

CO-CO · « **Reply #18 on:** May 14, 2013, 02:06:22 PM »

Quote from: gotlost on May 14, 2013, 01:02:27 PM

My wife is taking a very close friend (Cambodian national whose in Thailand on an Ed Visa to O'Smach to catch a bus. While there she will bring back 3 cans of Angkor beer (990ml) and a bunch of fresh French bread. No fags............

Would that be Cambodian or English 'fags' you are not bringing back GL

gotlost · « **Reply #19 on:** May 14, 2013, 02:57:10 PM »

Quote from: CO-CO on May 14, 2013, 02:06:22 PM

Quote from: gotlost on May 14, 2013, 01:02:27 PM
My wife is taking a very close friend (Cambodian national whose in Thailand on an Ed Visa to O'Smach to catch a bus. While there she will bring back 3 cans of Angkor beer (990ml) and a bunch of fresh French bread. No fags............

Would that be Cambodian or English 'fags' you are not bringing back GL

Cambodian for the karaoke next door.

vin · « **Reply #20 on:** May 14, 2013, 09:05:44 PM »

Quote from: nookiebear on May 13, 2013, 08:29:59 AM

That was bloody hard luck Ray..........WHY would they have followed you all the way back?? They are only alerted by the 'sleepers' in the market
Did they think you still had Coffee Corner??......Something doesn't add up as they would normally stop people not long after getting back on the main road.

dimple joe · « **Reply #21 on:** May 15, 2013, 07:25:01 PM »

Ray,

Sorry to hear of your difficulties.

Some people are saying that you tried to become the "Mr Big" of the dodgy fag business; but your attempt was thwarted by the diligence of the glorious forces of law and order that we all so admire and probably aided by an informant or "snout". (Geddit?)

The less kind are saying it was a clear smuggling attempt which went wrong due to incompetence and poor planning which is of course your hallmark, being an ex banker.

Others believe that your decline into a life of crime is a direct result of the degenerate low life clientele you were forced to mix with when you owned your greasy spoon.

However, all are agreed that now you are No 1 on the Custom's watch list; the return border crossing from your next trip to Cambodia will almost certainly involve a "Cavity Search".

Chork Dee .........

CO-CO · « **Reply #22 on:** May 15, 2013, 09:33:28 PM »

Quote from: dimple joe on May 15, 2013, 07:25:01 PM

Ray,

Sorry to hear of your difficulties.

Some people are saying that you tried to become the "Mr Big" of the dodgy fag business; but your attempt was thwarted by the diligence of the glorious forces of law and order that we all so admire and probably aided by an informant or "snout". (Geddit?)

The less kind are saying it was a clear smuggling attempt which went wrong due to incompetence and poor planning which is of course your hallmark, being an ex banker.

Others believe that your decline into a life of crime is a direct result of the degenerate low life clientele you were forced to mix with when you owned your greasy spoon.

However, all are agreed that now you are No 1 on the Custom's watch list; the return border crossing from your next trip to Cambodia will almost certainly involve a "Cavity Search".

Chork Dee .........

DJ - thanks for describing my plight so succinctly

Cavity search? - bugger me (pardon the phrase DJ, I know it is close to your heart) - I would have encouraged them to open the market on a daily basis............

TBWG · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2013, 08:26:39 AM »

Well I'll be buggered if I go on on any more Prackonchai Expats tours!

TBWG

Geordie Boy · « **Reply #24 on:** May 17, 2013, 07:51:25 AM »

Sorry to hear about the problems at the market/border/home, but it has not put me off a potential visit to the market. So would be obliged if someone could give me GPS co-ordinates for its location? Also opening times?Thanks in advance.

Nobby · « **Reply #25 on:** May 17, 2013, 08:17:36 AM »

Quote from: Geordie Boy on May 17, 2013, 07:51:25 AM

Sorry to hear about the problems at the market/border/home, but it has not put me off a potential visit to the market. So would be obliged if someone could give me GPS co-ordinates for its location? Also opening times?Thanks in advance.

Love to help, but I bought a GPS at the market that got me home and then it died!

gotlost · « **Reply #26 on:** May 17, 2013, 11:07:04 AM »

Smugglers Camp GPS
14.304724, 103.120852

CO-CO · « **Reply #27 on:** May 17, 2013, 11:52:58 AM »

Quote from: Geordie Boy on May 17, 2013, 07:51:25 AM

Sorry to hear about the problems at the market/border/home, but it has not put me off a potential visit to the market. So would be obliged if someone could give me GPS co-ordinates for its location? Also opening times?Thanks in advance.

Indeed. Please don't be put off - that is the last thing I would want to achieve with my post.

It is a fun market and certainly part of the cultural experience of the area. Just don't make the same mistake I made.

Geordie Boy · « **Reply #28 on:** May 18, 2013, 08:45:20 AM »

Thanks for the GPS and advice, I am mobile to the market now, will report my trip on my return. As my wife is with me we have of course had to stop for food already

gotlost · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2013, 08:50:14 AM »

Quote from: Geordie Boy on May 18, 2013, 08:45:20 AM

Thanks for the GPS and advice, I am mobile to the market now, will report my trip on my return. As my wife is with me we have of course had to stop for food already

How about a case of beer..

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