What does customs on Suvarnabhumi actually do?

Dear Harry
With all my travels for work and private life in a period of time from mid-1978, I was only asked once upon departure to open my cabin suitcase. This at Dusseldorf airport. Turned out there was a nail file in my cabin case and it needs to come out.

Furthermore, even with 3 checked luggage suitcases, cabin suitcase, laptop suitcase and a bag with 4 bottles of drink, you can walk straight through.

On average I flew six times a year for work from the years 1978 and then 2 times a year privately.

Have even ever transported 2 folding bicycles in each of those large zippable bags (2 pieces). Made a shelf on the bottom on the inside and 4 swivel wheels underneath. In addition, two large suitcases and my cabin luggage.

No control.

Not in Dusseldorf, Brussels, Paris, Rome, New York, Chicago, Bogota, from Nigeria, Mozambique, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Kristchurch, Perth, Brisbane, Singapore, Zurich, Vienna, Kiev, Minsk, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Taipei, Tokyo. Nowhere ever except 1 time on departure from Dusseldorf/

In my very many arrivals, the suitcase has been vetted once.
At the time when there had been demonstrations at the airport and a bomb apparently exploded, my hand luggage was checked and a large egg-shaped object was discovered. They asked what that was. I did not know. When it was opened it turned out to be an Edam cheese, which was distorted on the translucent screen. That was a laugh.

Yes, at BKK a few years ago also picked from the hall with several Dutch people.
They knew exactly which suitcases contained cigarettes and cigars!
15 euros per gram fine incl. the packaging weighed and everything confiscated, also the permitted amount that you can legally take with you!!

I was checked for the first time in 40 years in February. I was shocked. Suitcase through the scanner , was full of food . I didn't have to open anything. Should immediately have a smile…

We have never been checked in Thailand. Last November we went to Australia for a family visit. Everything neatly arranged in the Netherlands in connection with medicines that fall under the opium law. Everything neatly filled in that we had cheese, etc. with us. And of course the medicines. Australia is known to be super strict. To our surprise, we were asked what we had with us, answered honestly. The result, we could walk through without checking anything. They had more eye for the Asians who bring all kinds of food. I had the family who would pick us up that it might take a while before we were through. So we were through super fast.

I came back from NL to BKK this week. I had 1 bottle of Sonnema Berenburg with me of 1½ liters, which is ½ liter more than allowed, plus 2 boxes of cigars of 100 pieces (so 100 more than allowed), one box in my suitcase and one box in my hand luggage. Moreover, I also had 10 bags of coffee pods of 56 pods with me. So I was just a smuggler who could be caught at the exit of Suvarnabhumi… I walked to the exit “Nothing to declare” and saw a big sign there: “All passengers are requested to put their luggage on the belt for scanning. ” Of course I didn't because that's the same as turning yourself in! Anyone who says a must also say b, so I ignored that request and, with a pounding heart, boldly just passed that band with a scanner… Luckily no one called or came after me… pfff… It could have turned out differently. Smuggling is and remains risky and stressful.

Once on departure from Thailand, arrived at plane and saw my suitcase outside the plane.
So I surprised and go there.
THE suitcase had to be opened, it turns out, it had my power bank in it and that is not allowed.

Once in Indonesia with hand luggage, there was a pair of scissors (not allowed), so to be handed in.

Although I also had this once in Thailand, complete set in it, but was allowed to continue?!

Once bottled water, thought he could drink it while waiting.
Nope, last check before gate, so leave water bottle behind.

Once at Schiphol, on return and exit. That was really customs.
THE other occurrences are more surveillance.

But I'm glad that customs is relaxed (it seems) and does nothing else. All hassle, which you don't feel like after 11 hours of flying. For all I care, they can sleep, eat, or whatever, as long as they leave me alone. No problem with that.