Many Thais have recently resumed overseas travel and have brought back perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables. The Thai government has issued a caution to tourists to not bring fresh vegetables into the country without proper import permissions.
Many Thais who go to East Asian countries like South Korea and Japan bring back exotic fruits they’ve tasted there. It is not uncommon for Thais coming from the Middle East or Europe to be caught with fruit such as persimmons and grapes by customs officers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said that the importation of fresh fruits is prohibited without proper documentation due to the Plant Quarantine Act of 1964. If inspectors discover contraband on tourists or in their bags, they will confiscate the items and perhaps impose fines and jail sentences. The Thai airports have been asked by the Department of Agriculture to help spread the word.
Suvarnabhumi Airport’s plant quarantine station is notorious for seizing fresh fruit from departing passengers, issuing a verbal warning, and then releasing the offending passengers.
However, the legislation stipulates that violators might face a fine of up to 20,000 baht and/or imprisonment for up to a year.
