Buying a Buddha statue in Thailand (page 1 of 2)

Hi,

I’m leaving in less than 4 weeks, and I’ve been told I can’t buy a Buddha statue. What’s the risk if I bring back a small one anyway? And what about counterfeit goods—any risks there?

Why sell all this stuff if we can’t bring it back without risks??

I really don’t want to take unnecessary risks like fines or worse, so thanks for shedding some light on this! 😉

Karine

Hi there,

For the Buddha statue, you're not taking much of a risk, especially if you put it in your checked baggage (as long as it's not an antique). The risk is higher for coral. Buddhists are allowed to take them with them. For counterfeits, it's riskier when arriving in France. If it's just 1 or 2 t-shirts, it usually goes through, but if there's clearly an intent to resell, it can cost you a lot.

If you want zero risk, don't bring back any Buddha statues, counterfeits, or more than one carton of cigarettes per person.🙂

Thanks everyone,

I’ll still bring back a small statue in my checked luggage, but no fakes—it’s not for resale anyway, so I’m not taking the risk!!

I’ll definitely find some local souvenirs and clothes too!

Hi🙂/Sawaasdee! Karine,

Congrats on your upcoming trip to Thailand!

... it was mentioned to me that I couldn’t buy a Buddha statue, so what’s the risk if I bring back a small one anyway? And what about counterfeits? Any risks?

Building on Earthquake’s advice, I’d add that the general stance of the is that a Buddha isn’t a decorative object but one of... worship. For choosing one, you could focus on the posture that inspires you most (https://objectifthailande.com/bouddhisme-et-symbolisme-les-huit-bouddhas-de-la-semaine/) or the one that matches your birth day of the week. It’s also "good" to have it blessed by a monk (with a donation at your discretion). For transport, the custom is not to place it on the floor—I personally wrap it and handle it as carefully as possible in my carry-on bag. Once home, it’s proper to "perch" it, ideally as high as possible in the room (you can also buy small, inexpensive altars in Buddha shops). And pay your respects daily, regularly, or occasionally, depending on your beliefs. You get the idea, right...

Why sell all this stuff if we can’t bring it back without risks??

????!!!! Funny question. What a refreshing outlook, Karine! 😉

Have a great trip prep and happy Thai shopping (I recommend Icon Siam mall and the amulet market at Loha Prasat in Bangkok, among other spots).

Sânouk3😎.

Why are you buying a Buddha statue? Are you Buddhist?

Do you have crosses or Qurans at home?

Hello, Why sell all this if we can't bring them back without risks??

Hello, No worries if you bring back one, or even a few Buddha statues in your suitcase. As long as it doesn’t look like commercial activity but rather personal use, and it’s not an antique. That said, if you’re not Buddhist, one might wonder in the same vein whether a tourist who isn’t Christian would bring back a crucifix from their vacation in Italy.😉

Sawasdee Khaa Sanouk,

Thanks for your tips—I’ll check with my guide once I’m there to see if I need to fill out any authorization, but it might be tricky since I’m on a tour. Otherwise, Monday works for me (I was born on a Monday, after all)!!

Well, why so many temptations if we can’t bring them home in peace? I’m talking about fakes, of course!!

Thanks! I’m slowly getting ready for a wonderful trip and organizing my schedule for my 4 days in Jomtien!!

Have a great day!!

Karine

Hi John,

I’m not Buddhist, but I’ve been practicing meditation for several years and feel pretty close to Buddhism—I’m getting more and more into it!!

I was raised Christian, I’m baptized, but I’m in a hurry (to explore other paths, I guess).

I have Algerian roots, but no, I’m not Muslim, and I’ve never read the Quran because it just doesn’t appeal to me at all.

I’m French, and I love Buddhism!!!

Hi Charlie,

Thanks to you, I plan to bring back a Buddha to replace the little one at my workplace where I usually practice my meditation between noon and 2 pm!!

It’s true that my sister, sister-in-law, and colleague wanted one too, but theirs is just decorative, so they’ll get theirs from a shop in France!! 🙂

As for counterfeits, I just wanted to buy a Longchamp-style shopping bag. I’m taking mine in the cabin, but it’s really worn out. I might buy a new one to replace it and take it back with me, then leave my old one in the trash over there!! I don’t care about the rest of the counterfeits—I don’t need anything else!!

Have a great day!!

Karine

My question might sound naive, but do you have to be Buddhist to buy a Buddha statue?

If so, how does one become Buddhist? Is there a certificate to get, an exam? Or does a little holy water on the forehead do the trick?

And finally, are there good Buddhists and bad Buddhists, or is it all the same?...

Thanks for shedding some light on this—I get the feeling you know a ton about the subject.

😅

Hi Charlie, that’s where I usually do my meditation between noon and 2 PM!!

True, you can see Gautama as a mediator between two worlds. Personally, at lunchtime, I eat lunch—but to each their own schedule.

About counterfeits, I just wanted to buy a Longchamp-style shopping bag

Very few customs checks at Roissy (?) on flights from Bangkok. That said, don’t flaunt it when you walk past the agents—I’ve known some real jokers.

Hey Charlie!!

Nah, I’ll eat before meditating lol 😉

I’m leaving with my old bag and coming back with the new one (carry-on bag!!), so no worries—worst case, I’ll just say my bag was stolen and I bought a new one 😛

Hi Charlie,

Thanks to you, I’m planning to bring back a Buddha to replace the little one at my workplace where I usually do my meditation between noon and 2 pm!!

It’s true that my sister, sister-in-law, and colleague wanted one too, but theirs is just decorative, so they’ll get theirs from a shop in France!! 🙂

As for counterfeits, I just wanted to buy a Longchamp-style shopping bag. I’m taking mine in the cabin, but it’s really worn out—I might buy a new one to replace it and take it back with me, then leave my old one in the trash over there!! The rest of the counterfeits don’t interest me; I don’t need anything else!!

Have a great day!!

Karine

Just a heads-up about counterfeits—the customs patrol is often present in international airports and *loves* targeting travelers returning from Asia. Trust me, the fine will make you regret your purchase (which, by the way, funds international criminal networks). As for the new bag, customs will ask for the receipt and won’t be fooled...

I’m a total atheist, but I have a Buddha and especially a Nataraja that are part of my travels and my life

We’ve been going to Thailand every year for 30 years now, and every year I bring back Buddha statues in my checked luggage—never had any issues. For us, it’s really not a problem since we’re Buddhists. I think Thai customs officers are far more concerned about drugs, protected animals, or ivory than this!

Sawasdee! Hi Fabien,

... I have a Buddha and especially a Nataraj that are part of my travels and my life

Say, please, what’s a ?? Khrap! Thanks in advance.

Sânouk30.

A representation of the Indian god Shiva performing a cosmic dance. Lots of symbolism, including one about yoga..

Religions in general put me off, especially Thai Buddhism—except when it leans toward animism.

Sawadee krap!

One of the things that struck me on my first trip there was this poster you can see in airports and some hotels.

But what’s the reality like?

?"🤪🤪"?

These posters—and there are some huge ones—along the airport-to-downtown road are mostly put up by a pretty "hardline" group that complains about tourists taking home statues.

But they never mention that if tourists own them, it’s because Thais sell them.

Apparently, it’s less shocking for Buddhists to sell statues to tourists than for tourists to buy them.

are mainly the work of a rather "hardline" group...

I can’t be bothered to look up the references I’ve already posted here, which show that the leader of this movement is no longer a dissident at all but has been welcomed back into the good graces of the “Buddhist authorities,” who no longer have any issues with her.