Leaving to Cambodia/Thailand tomorrow, can I legally bring knives back in my suitcase?

[ErocSD]

So I'm leaving to Cambodia; Phnom Pen then Ankor wat..... Then I hit Phuket, Krabi and lastly Bangkok.

I was curious can I bring back a Dah or knife? And if so, where is the best place to look for said blade given my itinerary?

I don't mind mailing myself a blade if I needed but I would prefer just put it in my luggage and check it. I don't want to end up in trouble though and I have no intention of breaking law. Anyone have any info on this?

Btw I'm a CA resident so I don't want a balisong either. Just want a Dah, Traditional sword or smaller dagger/fixed blade.

Thanks, I'm kind of new to the forums and I've read quite a few rules forums and tried to find the answer but can't seem to quite find the answer unless it's a US law. Sorry if i missed it somewhere.

 

[Bad Ninja]

Spend a few bucks and mail it.
Much easier, and less chance of it getting stolen/confiscated, or getting shook down by some knucklehead at airport security points.

Never invite the man into your life, even if you are doing nothing wrong.
Living in CA, you should already know this.

 

[USMCPOP]

I'm not sure about crossing borders with knives, though it may be OK in checked luggage if flying. In the last 40 years, I've been challenged twice for transporting about a 10-12 inch pointed machete. Fortunately, I speak Thai and was able to explain that I needed to carry them from the point of sale to my dwelling. Duh. Best to just be discrete and have it well wrapped/boxed. It's been quite a few years since I've visited but over the years I brought back dozens of big knives and one Dah that is 34" overall. Never was a problem in checked luggage.

Technically I think "weapons" are prohibited, but knives are everywhere, go figure. There's a mall in Bangkok with a security checkpoint because there's a government office inside. Once past security, there's a vendor with a whole table piled with knives and machetes for sale.

In Bangkok, there's Chatuchak Weekend Market. There are some knife sellers, though I personally prefer knives from smaller places that are more "native". You may be able to find an antique there. They have something like 8,000 vendor stalls spread over 35 acres! http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-market/popular-markets.htm In the old Chinatown area of Bangkok close to the river, there are areas that sell tools and stuff. May take some scrounging but there's stuff there.

Down south, look for smaller markets and areas or shops that sell tools and agricultural stuff if you want common knives/machetes. Take some pictures of the kind of stuff you want and ask around.

I'd love to get one just like this one from up north. The maker (Boonhom) has a good reputation.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

Never saw any Dah or daggers for sale in Cambodia a couple of years ago. I did bring back a bunch of cleavers and other cooking knives in my checked luggage with out any problems. Just don't EVER make a flight transfer in China. They play by a different set of rules than the rest of the world and are only to happy to point it out to you.

 

[ErocSD]

I'm not sure about crossing borders with knives, though it may be OK in checked luggage if flying. In the last 40 years, I've been challenged twice for transporting about a 10-12 inch pointed machete. Fortunately, I speak Thai and was able to explain that I needed to carry them from the point of sale to my dwelling. Duh. Best to just be discrete and have it well wrapped/boxed. It's been quite a few years since I've visited but over the years I brought back dozens of big knives and one Dah that is 34" overall. Never was a problem in checked luggage.

Technically I think "weapons" are prohibited, but knives are everywhere, go figure. There's a mall in Bangkok with a security checkpoint because there's a government office inside. Once past security, there's a vendor with a whole table piled with knives and machetes for sale.

In Bangkok, there's Chatuchak Weekend Market. There are some knife sellers, though I personally prefer knives from smaller places that are more "native". You may be able to find an antique there. They have something like 8,000 vendor stalls spread over 35 acres! http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-market/popular-markets.htm In the old Chinatown area of Bangkok close to the river, there are areas that sell tools and stuff. May take some scrounging but there's stuff there.

Down south, look for smaller markets and areas or shops that sell tools and agricultural stuff if you want common knives/machetes. Take some pictures of the kind of stuff you want and ask around.

I'd love to get one just like this one from up north. The maker (Boonhom) has a good reputation.

Thank you all great info!!! I will check out the markets and hopefully find a nice Dah and a dagger.

That last Dah is beautiful. I would only be so lucky to find one of those. My wife is Cambodian although she came over at 2 yrs old in the Khmer rouge so I will have a local Khmer speaker but only in Cambodia. I was kind of hoping for a Cambodian wedding sword so I could pass it on to my son when he gets married and have a cool story but I haven't seen anything online about them being sold .

I'll keep and eye out .Thank you .

 

[kniferbro]

This may not answer your question but I traveled to and from Vietnam with a bag of about 6 folders in my checked luggage. Was not a problem. Connected @ Tokyo Narita to LA. Wasn't sure if you were inquiring about Cambodian laws or getting back into the States.

 

[JBoone]

Phuket and Krabi are beautiful. I went rock climbing near Krabi in 99/2000.

 

[BladeScout]

I was curious can I bring back a Dah or knife?

I don't mind mailing myself a blade if I needed but I would prefer just put it in my luggage and check it. I don't want to end up in trouble though and I have no intention of breaking law. Anyone have any info on this?

Btw I'm a CA resident

Dont see why you should have a problem entering the US with a US/state legal blade. Just transport it in your checked luggage
Ive entered/left the US many many times with a knife or knives in my suitcase, as I almost always bring one or more blades when travelling. Not least recently. Once I brought a Waki in a Pelican rifle case. There was never a problem*
*TSA sometimes go through my suitcase due to spot checks and then go "Clothes, knife, socks, knife, toiletries, waki, shoes." They never bat an eye and have most likely encountered similar suitcase content before.

 

[ErocSD]

Dont see why you should have a problem entering the US with a US/state legal blade. Just transport it in your checked luggage
Ive entered/left the US many many times with a knife or knives in my suitcase, as I almost always bring one or more blades when travelling. Not least recently. Once I brought a Waki in a Pelican rifle case. There was never a problem*
*TSA sometimes go through my suitcase due to spot checks and then go "Clothes, knife, socks, knife, toiletries, waki, shoes." They never bat an eye and have most likely encountered similar suitcase content before.

Thank you. Now I've just got to find some cool blades worth bringing back .

 

[ErocSD]

Spend a few bucks and mail it.
Much easier, and less chance of it getting stolen/confiscated, or getting shook down by some knucklehead at airport security points.

Never invite the man into your life, even if you are doing nothing wrong.
Living in CA, you should already know this.

Sadly I am aware being a gun collector and knife enthusiast I feel like I'm often avoiding stupid laws I didn't even know existed with no logical conclusion as to why they exist. I'll see what the cost for mailing a blade home comes out to. If it's reasonable it may just be a better option. I want to bring some habusaki bottles with the Cobra in side back too. I'm sure I'll have to declare those though.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

Chatuchak has always been a dry hole for me as far as knives go. Chinatown in Bangkok is better. if you can go to the knife making village about 40 miles North of Bangkok. Most of the knives in that dealer spread above came from there. There are also some good makers in Lampang including at least one custom guy that does make Dah style blades. But again, I hit all the markets in Phnom Penh with out seeing anythink like a Dah. Just the normal cleavers and bamboo choppers.

 

[Bad Ninja]

Sadly I am aware being a gun collector and knife enthusiast I feel like I'm often avoiding stupid laws I didn't even know existed with no logical conclusion as to why they exist. I'll see what the cost for mailing a blade home comes out to. If it's reasonable it may just be a better option. I want to bring some habusaki bottles with the Cobra in side back too. I'm sure I'll have to declare those though.

The laws are about controlling citizens.
I lived near Borrego springs and worked from El Centro to LA for 10 + years.
I shut a good business down and moved back to GA a year ago because the laws were unbearable.
I drove my guns back east, rather than ship them.

Just be careful if you fly into LAX with any knife.
LA has a different set of knife laws and regulations than the rest of CA.

 

[USMCPOP]

Citadel knives & swords in Cambodia make some impressive (and expensive) stuff.

https://www.facebook.com/Citadel.Knives.Swords/
10, Street 110 Phnom Penh

https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/...rlds-greatest-swordsmiths-and-bowmakers-1124/

If nothing else, they may know where you can purchase stuff they don't make.

I bought my Thai short sword somewhere north of Bangkok, probably around Ayutthaya (about 40 miles). Possibly Aranyik village, known for knives. Makes a nice day trip, lots of old ruins. It was the capital of Siam until the Burmese razed it in 1767.

 

[ErocSD]

The laws are about controlling citizens.
I lived near Borrego springs and worked from El Centro to LA for 10 + years.
I shut a good business down and moved back to GA a year ago because the laws were unbearable.
I drove my guns back east, rather than ship them.

Just be careful if you fly into LAX with any knife.
LA has a different set of knife laws and regulations than the rest of CA.

I am flying out of LAX unfortunately. I hope it goes well .

 

[Chucktabulous]

California knife laws are not too bad. That being said many in enforcement don't have a clue what they are.
I'd mail it.
The road to hell was paved with good intentions.

 

[Bad Ninja]

California knife laws are not too bad. That being said many in enforcement don't have a clue what they are.
I'd mail it.
The road to hell was paved with good intentions.

Los Angeles county is much more restrictive

Check out LA County Ordinances § 13.62.010-020. It’s illegal in Los Angeles County to openly carry any knife with a blade of 3″ or longer.

Los Angeles Code § 55.01 also makes it illegal to carry any weapon at all concealed on one’s person.

Good intentions my eye.
They want to disarm all law abiding citizens. These laws are not designed to keep you safe.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

Never had any problem flying through LA with knives in my checked luggage. Has anyone else?

 

[Bad Ninja]

Never had any problem flying through LA with knives in my checked luggage. Has anyone else?

Gamble all you like.
It takes ONE enthusiastic screener to confiscate you knife, and you may get a criminal charge as a consolation prize.
Personally, I would just mail it.

 

[BladeScout]

I'd mail it.

Personally, I would just mail it.

I wouldnt. The package will pass though several postal services, lots of hands and screening on the way. Not to mention porch pirates at the destination.
An item can of course also be stolen from a suitcase but still.

The road to hell was paved with good intentions.

What do you mean in this context?

Gamble all you like.
It takes ONE enthusiastic screener to confiscate you knife, and you may get a criminal charge as a consolation prize.

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Check out LA County Ordinances § 13.62.010-020. It’s illegal in Los Angeles County to openly carry any knife with a blade of 3″ or longer.

Los Angeles Code § 55.01 also makes it illegal to carry any weapon at all concealed on one’s person.

Good intentions my eye.
They want to disarm all law abiding citizens. These laws are not designed to keep you safe.

Seems to me, you are confusing the lawful possession of a blade as opposed to somebody flaunting a knifee on the streets of LA. AFAIK the latter was never the question.
The OP certainly never mentioned, that he would carry the blade around in public in LA.
One would think, this would be a simple matter of checking ones local laws:
- Am I legally allowed to own the blade in question and keep it in my house or my property? If yes, go ahead.
As for your comment about 'they' wanting to disarm citizens and certain laws not being designed to keep someone safe, thats a political discussion, which is neither here nor there and certainly not for GKD.

Never had any problem flying through LA with knives in my checked luggage. Has anyone else?

Right.
I dont live in LA but why would you or anybody else have any problem, if a knife or knives are legal.

 

[Bad Ninja]

I wouldnt. The package will pass though several postal services, lots of hands and screening on the way. Not to mention porch pirates at the destination.
An item can of course also be stolen from a suitcase but still.


What do you mean in this context?

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Seems to me, you are confusing the lawful possession of a blade as opposed to somebody flaunting a knifee on the streets of LA. AFAIK the latter was never the question.
The OP certainly never mentioned, that he would carry the blade around in public in LA.
One would think, this would be a simple matter of checking ones local laws:
- Am I legally allowed to own the blade in question and keep it in my house or my property? If yes, go ahead.
As for your comment about 'they' wanting to disarm citizens and certain laws not being designed to keep someone safe, thats a political discussion, which is neither here nor there and certainly not for GKD.


Right.
I dont live in LA but why would you or anybody else have any problem, if a knife or knives are legal.

Mail it insured.
While mail does get stolen, I trust the mail alot nore than LAX TSA.
I have had everything from laptops to professional equipment to clothing stolen by LAX employees.
There is no recourse.
Due to my former career, I have a ton of experience with their insanity.
YMMV.

I was just giving honest advice based on actual experience.