Procedures for Weapons or Sensitive Items
Transiting Bangkok Airport by Commercial Air
BACKGROUND: JUSMAGTHAI, in coordination with Thailand’s Airport Security, Bangkok Airport Customs, Royal Thai Supreme Command and certain airlines, has developed a system
that minimizes the potential for delays at the airport for US personnel carrying sensitive items as baggage. The key is authorization from the Thai Armed Forces.
Depending on the situation, receiving authorization from Thai officials may require four weeks. In the past, Thai Airport authorities have not hesitated to detain those who have not adhered to
Thai rules and guidelines. The default procedure, if JUSMAGTHAI is unable to obtain authorization, is for sensitive weapons to be checked into Customs Bond area at Airport until the concerned Thai agencies/services authorize otherwise.
OVERVIEW
US Weapons for bilateral training in Thailand - SOCPAC LNO or designated JUSMAGTHAI representative will meet and escort to/from airport. Meds and Weapons will pass through Airport Customs, leave airport, and will be stored at JUSMAGTHAI vault (plan max 48 hrs.) until team moves to training location.
Thailand transit with weapons: SOCPAC LNO or designated JUSMAGTHAI representative will meet & escort to Customs Bond area. When teams transit Thailand to train in other countries, weapons must be stored at Don Muang Airport at Customs Bond Vault until team departs Thailand. Note: Thai Airways normally forbids weapons carriage. JUSMAGTHAI has been able to obtain a waiver if team provides SOCPAC LNO required info 10 working days prior to flight.
For Controlled Meds only (no weapons): No escort necessary but coordination required. Meds will be stored in JUSMAGTHAI vault. Contact JUSMAGTHAI 10 working days prior to arrival/departure.
DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL: Thai Airways normally does not allow weapons carriage. JUSMAGTHAI has been able to obtain waiver, time allowing. Provide info to SOCPAC LNO at least 10 working days prior to flight.
STORAGE SITE AND JUSMAG ESCORT POLICY FOR SENSITIVE BAGGAGE:
Training in Thailand inbound outbound
Weapons JUSMAG vault (escort) (escort)
Meds JUSMAG vault (no escort) (no escort)
Comsec JUSMAG vault (no escort) (no escort)
Thailand Transit (to Cambodia, etc.)
Weapons Customs Bond (escort) (escort)
Meds JUSMAG vault (no escort) (no escort)
Comsec JUSMAG vault (no escort) (no escort)
Domestic Air Travel in Thailand
Weapons, meds. comsec coordination required (no escort)
PROCEDURES FOR DIFFERENT ITEMS:
Weapons - Must be unloaded, properly documented, and packed in locked containers (for packing instructions, ref. Military Transportation Management Command (MTMC) regulations, message 071215Z May 96).
Meds - Many of the typical medications carried by team medics/18D’s are considered sensitive items. US orders authorizing possession of controlled drugs are not recognized in Thailand.
Drug Possession penalties in Thailand are stiff. That said, the Thai Food and Drug Administration informs JUSMAGTHAI that since “bringing-in medical drugs for personal use of not more than 30 days is acceptable”, medics are not violating Thai laws while possessing official emergency-use medicine. To ensure US personnel encounter no problems with Customs officials, the SOCPAC LNO or designated JUSMAGTHAI rep will coordinate with Bangkok Airport officials prior to team arrival. Meds will be stored in JUSMAGTHAI vault. For outbound portion,
JUSMAGTHAI will coordinate with airport officials and supply medic with JUSMAGTHAI letter. No inbound or outbound JUSMAGTHAI escort. As with other sensitive items, JUSMAGTHAI requires advance documentation for personnel arriving/departing Thailand with controlled drugs.
Other Sensitive Items - Thai airport security considers an ammo clip to be in the same category as a gun. Do not carry ammo magazines, gun scopes or loose ammo in personal gear. Given Thailand’s timber laws, a chain saw is also tantamount to a gun. Document these items.
Ammo - Although some passenger carriers may allow ammo as baggage IAW ICAO CFR 14, the regulation is designed for “sporting purposes,” not DoD missions. Do not deploy with ammo as checked baggage. If ammo is for exercise purposes in Thailand, send as airfreight on commercial cargo operators (not passenger carrier). Same address/directions as for Lithium Batteries (below). Ammo can be retrieved from Cargo Customs during business hours. Ammo shipments require extensive JUSMAGTHAI coordination with Thai military & civilian officials. Contact JUSMAGTHAI 30 days prior.
Donnage- per service/unit regs. JUSMAGTHAI doesn't mandate that donnage be carried out of country.
Lithium Batteries - Passenger Carriers will not transport as baggage. However, it is possible for Commercial Air Cargo Carriers to ship batteries to Bangkok, packing and documenting IAW HAZMAT Regulations. For addressing/coordination procedures see APO, Packing, Shipping Info. (US personnel may bypass this addressing/coordination process with US Embassy/JUSMAGTHAI and retrieve themselves, but the price is exorbitant; for example – one case of batteries can be obtained in one day for $1,000.)
--Be advised, JUSMAGTHAI often has a few cases of Lithium batteries in storage if you need some.
--Disposal - Thailand has virtually no legal means to dispose of discharged batteries, nor will air carriers transport them. (A big headache).
WHAT JUSMAGTHAI REQUIRES FROM DEPLOYING (ARRIVING) TEAM:
FPC – specify in MOU and obtain agreement that Host Unit will:
-- Provide letter of explanation to Bangkok Airport Customs as weapons authorization. Info JUSMAG. Suspense date: arrival minus 10 business days (ideally, obtain this letter at the FPC).
-- Provide Thai unit rep, (rank O-2 or higher), to escort US team and liaison with Customs on both arrival and departure at Bangkok Airport.
FPC or no later that 30 days prior to entering country, provide general info:
-- Sensitive items- weapons w/ serial #’s (by box, if available), meds list, etc.
-- Names of personnel traveling and passport #’s (SSAN’s not required)
-- Itinerary - including airlines, flight #’s, dates and times.
Send this info to JUSMAGTHAI Joint Exercise Branch, SOCPAC LNO (Lt Col Elder), info Ground Ops (LTC Ball). Fax: 66 (country)-2-287-1034. Phone 287-1036 ext 318 or Email: selder@san.osd.mil.
Minimum 10 working days prior to arrival in Thailand, provide specifics:
-- Confirmed names of personnel traveling and passport# (SSAN’s not required)
-- Updated itinerary, if any changes
-- List weapons by box. Label and identify the box(es) by number. List each weapon/sensitive item in the box by serial number. Identify type and quantity of meds.
-- Identify individual(s) carrying the meds
NOTE: Package magazines as you would weapons, i.e. not in personal gear.
WHAT JUSMAGTHAI WILL DO FOR DEPLOYING (ARRIVING) TEAM:
Coordination: coordinate with Airport Customs, Airport Security, Royal Thai Supreme Command, Host Unit and the Airline to facilitate smooth transit. Vans for pick-up and drop-off as required. Be prepared to pay 1,000 Baht cash for each van - one-way ride to/from airport.
Billeting: Hotel reservations may be made either directly by the deploying team (see hotels section of this website for assistance), or via Lt Col Elder. If made via Lt Col Elder, be aware hotel will charge personnel for the first night if no show.
Arrival Process: Expect SOCPAC LNO (Lt Col Elder) or designated JUSMAGTHAI rep to meet team at arrival gate or baggage claim, and escort to Customs Bond or through Customs as appropriate. Plan 45 minutes extra at airport on arrival if items are checked into Customs Bond.
WHAT JUSMAGTHAI REQUIRES FROM REDEPLOYING (DEPARTING) TEAM:
Minimum 10 working days prior to arrival in Thailand, provide specifics:
-- Confirmed names of personnel traveling and passport #’s (SSAN’s not required)
-- Updated itinerary, if any changes
-- List weapons by serial number and by box.
-- Identify types of meds and individual(s) carrying meds
-- Review transportation plan possible needs for contracted van(s)
Departure: The team and SOCPAC LNO will meet at JUSMAGTHAI, load sensitive items and depart in vans to airport. Generally, depart JUSMAGTHAI 2 hours 40 min prior to flight departure. At airport, SOCPAC LNO will meet with Airline rep who will assist team with check-in process. Do not put any gear through x-ray machine until SOCPAC LNO/Airline Rep have received authorization from Airport Security. Plan 45 minutes extra at airport on departure if any items must be retrieved from Customs Bond.
RULES /CONSIDERATIONS:
NOTE 1: No Ramp access - Thai Airport Authority Security forbids passengers, including US military personnel, onto Bangkok Airport tarmac. Do not attempt to observe/escort weapons containers, regardless of possible on-the-spot acquiescence of Airline or Security Police officials. Reference attached message.
NOTE 2: Package magazines as you would weapons, i.e. not in personal gear.
NOTE 3: Update changes prior to departure. The airport is the wrong place to “wing it”.
NOTE 4: Recommend team NOT band weapons boxes prior to arriving at airport (for departure). Anticipate that all boxes carrying weapons will be inspected by airport officials.
NOTE 5: Bangkok Airport charges 500 baht departure tax. Cash (in baht only).
NOTE 6: Identify one person who can answer questions about weapons and equipment to airport officials. Airport Security will check passport# of that person against team roster and he will sign Security documents.
NOTE 7: Thai Airways does not normally allow weapons onboard. Must obtain written waiver for international and domestic travel. Thai Airways sometimes requires 3 to 4 weeks to staff international requests; 10 days for domestic. If provided sufficient time, JUSMAGTHAI will coordinate for flights departing Thailand and within Thailand. Coordination of weapons/sensitive-item transportation/transit outside Thailand (with your departure or enroute airport/airlines/security offices, Seattle or Narita, for example), is the responsibility of the team and their HHQ.
ALSO:
-- Air Nippon does not allow US military weapons carriage. No waivers.
-- Obtain signed checked-baggage stubs.
-- If you are transiting Bangkok and there is more than 8 hours between connecting flights, DO NOT CHECK SENSITIVE BAGGAGE THROUGH to destination. The “secure” holding area for transit baggage at Don Muang Airport is not secure. Claim baggage. Easy option for long delays between flights - check into “Louis’ Tavern Dayrooms” in Bangkok airport terminal for a half day (12 hours costs about 90 USD - cash only. Tel 535-3718 or /19/20/21). You don’t need to pass Customs to access Dayrooms and baggage can be checked onto follow-on flight without ever having passed through Airport Customs.
-- Given Bangkok traffic, recommend staying at a hotel near JUSMAGTHAI.
-- Dress appropriately to represent your country. Every team member will interface with Thai Airport Officials and pass through Immigration lines reserved for Diplomats and VIP’s. It is easier to ask for favors wearing long pants than gym shorts.
-- Remember that even if we do everything right, we can still encounter Snafu’s at the airport. There is no Status of Forces Agreement with Thailand. Furthermore, Airport Customs and Airport Security and Airline Security do not fall under Thai Military chain-of-command Departing teams may be asked to undergo separate weapons inspections, one by Airport Security and one by the Airline. If gear is impounded, JUSMAGTHAI / US embassy will coordinate release of the gear as expeditiously as possible (a few days). Bottom line: keep a good attitude & persevere through any adversity.
