Thailand’s imports of luxury and beauty enhancement products, such as brand-name bags, fillers and Botox, during the first half of the 2023 fiscal year increased by 40% year on year, reflecting positive economic sentiment, the increasing purchasing power of consumers and a rebound in tourism.

According to Panthong Loykulnan, deputy director-general of the Customs Department, collection of import taxes by the department for the period increased by 67.3 billion baht, or 27.7%, compared to the same period a year ago.

He also said that the department has instructed officials at all ports of entry to tighten up checks on the import of chemicals which can be used as precursors in the production of illegal narcotics and to make sure that the importers are credible and that the chemicals are to be used legally.

Regarding the problem of cheap smuggled pork, Panthong said that Customs Department has seized more than 4,600 tonnes of illegally imported pork during the first six months of this fiscal year, worth about 240 million baht, including that found in 160 cargo containers impounded at Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri province.

He explained that the smuggling increased due to the substantial price difference between local and imported pork, which is much cheaper, adding that all the impounded pork has been destroyed