Taking antiquities out of Thailand
Export of Thai antiquities is prohibited under the Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums Act B.E. 2504 (1961). All items over 100 years old require Fine Arts Department (FAD) permit.
Details
Thailand's Fine Arts Department (FAD) administers export controls on all items over 100 years old classified as 'antiques' or 'art objects'. Export without a FAD permit is a criminal offence with 7 years imprisonment and up to THB 700,000 fine (2016 amendment). Buddha images of any age require FAD approval for export — even modern replicas may require assessment. Tourists have been prosecuted for inadvertent export of antique items purchased at markets.
Quantity limits
All items over 100 years old require individual FAD export permit
Documentation required
- Fine Arts Department (FAD) export permit
- FAD authenticity and export assessment certificate
- Purchase receipt from licensed antique dealer (recommended)
The other direction
Bringing antiquities into Thailand(restricted)