Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg

It would be fruitless to bring fruits into Thailand unless you want a fine or to go to jail, the Thai government announced.

Phytosanitary certificate required

Thailand's Department of Agriculture warned tourists not to bring fruits into the country without a phytosanitary certificate, in order to avoid a 20,000 baht (S$780) fine or imprisonment for one year, news outlet Khaosod reported.

A phytosanitary certificate proves that a plant, plant products or other regulated articles have been inspected and are free from quarantine pests and conform to current phytosanitary requirements of importing contracting party.

The director general of the Department of Agriculture, Rapeephat Chantarasriwong, said it is illegal for both Thai nationals and international tourists to import fruits from overseas without a phytosanitary certificate under the Plant Quarantine Act B.E. 2507 and its amendments.

Those who violate the law are subject to a fine of up to 20, 000 baht (S$780) or one-year imprisonment, or both. The illegally imported fruits will also be confiscated and destroyed.

Both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Public Relations Department of Thai Airports are working closely together to pass this law.

“This is a travel season in Thailand," Rapeephat said. Many travellers, especially those who came from South Korea and Japan, "like to buy fresh fruits like persimmons and grapes, which are cheaper than in Thailand, to return to the country".

"We would like to warn them that this behaviour could be against the law without them being aware of it or intending to do it," he cautioned.

Frequently confiscated fresh fruits and vegetables

Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, frequently confiscates fresh fruits and vegetables brought back by inbound travellers.

Officials warned offenders and confiscated the items to be destroyed at high temperatures to avoid any disease, which could harm the country's agricultural industry.

As perhaps most passengers are unaware, the Department of Agriculture also instructed the Agricultural Regulation Department to put suitable bins at the airport for tourists to dispose of prohibited items.

In June 2022, a couple from the United Kingdom were caught at Suvarnabhumi airport for having mangoes inside in their luggage, Thaiger reported.

In October, a group of tourists from Malaysia were arrested at Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok, for the possession of durian without appropriate documentation.

Earlier this month, an Australian tourist was detained at Phuket International Airport for attempting to import papaya and coconut without the required certificates.

Thailand welcomed 11.15 million visitors in 2022, a surge from about 428,000 in 2021 when pandemic-related travel restrictions were in place, Reuters reported.

The country is confident it will receive more than 30 million foreign tourists this year.

Top image adapted from Jane Doan/Pexels and Robert Eklund/Unsplash.