Buying Buddha Images in Thailand
Rules for Exporting Buddha Statues that Tourists Should Know
One of the most typical Thai souvenirs a first-timer to Thailand takes home in their suitcase is a replica Buddha image or statue. Given the current Western passion for Asian art décor, such replicas tend to be very expensive in our home country, particularly if you want a large one to decorate your house or garden.
However, there are certain restrictions as far as buying replica Buddha images in Thailand, and even tougher ones for buying the real thing. Through genuine ignorance on the part of the buyer or the seller, many Buddha images are seized at the point of departure. Internet blogs carry tales of woe from disgruntled tourists, who had their images confiscated because they did not know the rules. In airports around Thailand, numerous Buddha images are seized by customs officials, simply because buyers did not have the correct paperwork for taking them out of the country.
Permission to Export Buddha Statues
In the Phuket Gazette’s “Keeping Tabs on Buddha Images,” of December 2007, Khun Atjima Nokong, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Fine Arts Department says that replica images can be taken out of the country providing they are full images, not just a part (e.g. a head) and written permission is obtained. However, no more than 5 replica Buddha images can be taken out of Thailand, per trip.
This restriction does not refer to the tiny pocket-sized images, which you can find in so many souvenir shops, but larger Buddha statues of 5 inches or more (approximately 12 cm), be they marble, wood or any other material. Getting written permission (i.e an export permit) can be straight forward, provided you know what to do.
Arranging an Export Permit
Tourists can ask the shop owner if he or she is willing to obtain a permit for them, or they can apply to the local Fine Arts department themselves. Officially, a permit needs to be issued for every image, which requires the Fine Arts Department to inspect each one. As a permit also needs to be signed by the provincial governor, this may take a day or so, therefore it is worth planning ahead. The latest Lonely Planet Thailand guide (12th Edition Aug 2007 p741) suggests you allow 3 to 5 days for the process. According to the guide, you are required to obtain two front-view photos of the Buddha image, which should accompany the permit application.
Problems arise when tourists don’t realize this requirement under Thai law, and also the fact that partial Buddha images, such as the hands, or head cannot legally be taken out of the country at all. Some shop owners are also ignorant of the regulations, according to Khun Nookong.
Fine Arts Deparment Inspection
The simplest system by far, is for the shop owner to make arrangements for the Fine Arts department to visit his or her shop and inspect the Buddha images for sale. Once the statues have been approved, it is possible for the authorities to grant permits for each respective Buddha image, so when it is sold, a tourist can be given both the statue and permit at the same time. One happy customer and a happy seller!
Buddha Image Poses
Before choosing a Buddha image you may like to consider the significance of the different Buddha postures, so that you can select one which is more meaningful to you.
Although most Buddha images show the Buddha in meditation, there are in fact over 100 different poses (standing, sitting, reclining), which represent significant moments of his life, (and numerous meaningful hand gestures There are also specific images which represent the 7 days of the week. Many Thais like to have an image where the posture represents the day they were born.
If you are considering buying a large replica Buddha image for your house or garden, then rather than risk confiscation at the airport, it is advisable to obtain the permit for your image first .
