Laptop searches on trips to Thailand ...

[Smiles]

There is an interesting thread in the Global Forum regarding wiping down, cleaning up, and sanitizing one's laptop hard drive before stepping foot in international airports ( http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... 11534.html (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/cleaning-a-hard-drive-t11534.html) ).

All that's fine and dandy (though I hardly understand a word of most of the technical stuff) and I am interested in the discussion as it's my intention to take my laptop with me in November. I'm really not that concerned about what's in the gloomy depths of my computer . . . I rarely do random www searches any more, and my photos are innocuous.

What I am concerned with is being dragged out the cattle call lineup for a full HD search: the time-wasting of it all; the tediousness, the possibilities of missing flights (they don't give a damn if you miss it!); the stultifying boredom of having to answer technical questions (to which I definitely have no answer) to some low level bureaucrat/nazi/wanker/punk security clerk.

So my question to those who've carried laptops through airport security mazes is this: Do they do laptop searches on every person carrying one (Shirley impossible??)? Random searches? One outta 20? 7 outta 10?
What do you think the odds of getting picked are?

And then ... having been picked: Do they take you away and do their business in some dark torture chamber? How long does it take?

And then again (the Worst Scenario).: Has anyone on the Board been unlucky enough (or have knowledge of) to be the chosen fish, and then missed their flight because of it? Has anyone really unlucky enough, been held back from travel . . . sent home . . . arrested/detained.


I'm seriously thinking of simply buying a second laptop in Thailand and leaving it there with the Beloved for the 4 months a year when I have to be back in Canada: Not because of something I need to hide, but to separate myself from the ridiculous tedium of even the contemplation of being the Chosen One.
Prices are fairly cheap for what you get nowadays, and frankly I am not in love with carrying that not-so-light boat anchor wherever I go. I can transport my Important Stuff on my cute little 100 gig portable hardrive (no bigger than a pack of cards), which I never leave connected to my main computer.

Cheers ...

[jinks]

I have carried my laptop on my trips for two years.

The biggest hassle was having to remove it from it's carrybag and put it into a separate tray to be X-rayed.

Fingers crossed so far .....

UK, Spain, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore and Thailand have never asked to see it booted up or looked at what is on it.

I too have nothing to worry about except a possible unnecessary delay.

[TrongpaiExpat]

I would buy one when you get here, that's what I did. I wanted a Thai/Eng key board and Thai/Eng Windows as well as a warranty in Thailand. I went to Pantip (love that place) and bought a Sony Vaio. There is a huge Sony service center in Bangkok as well but I think only for Sony Vaio sold in Thailand, not sure?

Then leave it in Thailand for your BF. You can IM each other. He also might have some fun in the Thai chat rooms and Thai web sites.

[TOQ]

On a previous trip here I brought an old laptop from home. I just leave it here in Thailand when I travel back to the States.. The people in Los Angeles are a true pain in the ass.. It isn't worth the aggravation you go through... Senior citizen, single, traveling to and from Thailand.. Can you say Red Flag..

Then they want to know since you don't have a computer with you "Where is your camera?" Here we go again..


john

[Brad the Impala]

I have carried a laptop abroad, including Thailand, regularly over the last ten years, probably around a hundred journeys, and never had anyone show any interest in it.

[Smiles]

May be wrong, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the US was the only real 'problem' area: e.g. " ... The people in Los Angeles are a true pain in the ass ... " (TOQ), and I more often than not connect either through San Fran or Seattle when off to Thailand.
USA Imm folks on the west coast are truly the grouchiest, most ill-humoured (and undoubtedly paranoid) group I've ever encountered. It's really only there that I would expect any search at all.

Thanks for the experiences ...

I got sick of carrying the heavy beast around with me and keep thy laptop at home.

Now all I carry is a small password protected USB stick with all software or data I need onboard. I just go into any internet caf├й plug the USB stick in and can work as much as I like. Even eBangking works nicely.

The best is, if I unplug from computer, all my data are on my USB plug only but nothing went to the machine inside the shop. Therefore nobody can track my data.

I pay a few TBT for the use of machine and maybe printouts.

Backup is online too, so I can use either the USD stick or the virtual disk and add new data to my laptop. I haven’t lost this USB stick yet (yes I am proud of myself for that) but if this might happened, due to the smart protection nobody can use the stick. And all my data are recorded on my virtual disk.

Carrying the laptop around doesn’t make it better. I don’t know the weight of the USB stick but I guess it should be around 50 grams.

Nobody has shown any interest in this small device yet. And I can store about 8 GB of data which is quite a lot.

[Bob]

Given the prior posts, I was wondering what would happen when I brought my laptop through customs at Los Angeles three weeks ago.
The customs guy asked me where my trip originated and I responded "Bangkok". All he responded was "welcome home" and waved me through.

[DJB0Y-old]

Nice idea ttom--

What software are you using to password protect or encrypt the data on your USB stick?

Does anyone have any good recommendation for encrypting of password protecting data on an external hard-drive?

I really feel very vulnerable having all my data available to anyone who plugs it into their computer.

Thanks,

DJ

[tony279760-old]

i'm using cryptainer and it seems to be doing the job fine. though i've never been stopped carrying a laptop i've heard a few reports that uk customs officers are taking an interest in te contents of laptops.

[tony279760-old]

i'm using cryptainer and it seems to be doing the job fine. though i've never been stopped carrying a laptop i've heard a few reports that uk customs officers are taking an interest in the contents of laptops.

You nellies sure are nervous for some reason.

I've made literally hundreds of trips in and out of Thailand, and dozens and dozens in and out of the US, UK, and Europe, and never had any interest whatsoever shown in my laptop.

Of course, if you're on a pedo watchlist -- as some of you no doubt are -- you may have more to worry about.

[mahjongguy]

A friend of mine returning from BKK had his camera examined at SFO. There was a photo on it of a 24yo Thai friend with his shirt off in a hotel room. This led to an examination of his laptop and all other storage (CD's, memory chips). Customs had the equipment for this right there in the inspection lanes. Total delay was about 40 minutes. I think the real problem was that my friend has a problem with anyone in uniform and he got all sweaty and shaky just being interviewed.

I'm not sure what would have occurred if he had had encrypted files. Refusal to divulge their contents might have led to detention. Although they are interested of course in kiddie porn they are more on the alert for smelly business dealings (drugs, terrorist connections).

If a traveler were transiting (e.g. to Canada) they would still be subject to this in-depth search but their focus is on US citizens.

Me, I never travel with a laptop, but I once entered SFO with a VCD from Hong Kong that had kind of a sexy cover photo. The Customs agent said "that's porn". I said "no, it's not. ". "Got any other porn?", he said. I just yawned, he yawned and told me to move on. He didn't even bust me for the three cartons of Thai Marlboros.

All that's fine and dandy (though I hardly understand a word of most of the technical stuff) and I am interested in the discussion as it's my intention to take my laptop with me in November ... I'm seriously thinking of simply buying a second laptop in Thailand and leaving it there with the Beloved for the 4 months a year when I have to be back in CanadaHave you migrated from Windows '98 yet, Smiles? A new laptop. That could mean Vista

Isn't Canada still working on DOS 3.1?

[Lunchtime O'Booze]

of totally honest propriety..but who knows what lurks on ones computer after surfing the net !!

I completely wipe my laptop every six months as a matter of course..back to the basics with one of those programs you use when selling your equipment..and then re-load everything. It's a total pain of course but you be amazed how much quicker your laptop works and it provides peace of mind.

However I reckon ttom is on the right track. I carry every bit of information I need on a usb stick and use Internet shops..they are far more fun and a great way to meet people.

I've been stopped by customs and had the full going over..apart from an anal examination and once requested one and they couldn't get me out quick enough..but people seem to be assuming that all custom's officials are honest and competent. I wouldn't trust the bastards one single inch or give them any extra reason to question you.

I travel to Australia often and the customs there have been discovered as completely corrupt over the years...nil security, criminals employed and working in with drug dealers.

Their latest scandal involves a team of customs and immigration officers who targeted Asian women they fancied for examination.
The US seems to only hire airport workers with the lowest IQ and in the UK they give them lessons in superiority complexes and how to be rude. In New Zealand they are frighteningly clever.

Why not get a cheap second hand laptop in Bangkok..?..help out the local economy and give it away to Thai when you leave..everyone's a winner then.

Don't complicate your life Smiles ...you just may be unlucky to come across Chief Customs Officer Boygeenyus wanting to give you a full digital probe !! :bootyshake:

Besides, if you travel cattle class as I occasionally do to see how the peasants live..there's no bloody room to put the damn thing.

The people in Los Angeles are a true pain in the ass.. It isn't worth the aggravation you go through... Senior citizen, single, traveling to and from Thailand.. Can you say Red Flag..

Then they want to know since you don't have a computer with you "Where is your camera?" Here we go again..
After not having set foot in the US (my home country) for over three years, I went to Chicago in January and Los Angeles in April.

Chicago Customs was a breeze, just a question of "Reason for visit?"

At LAX, the Customs Officer doing the primary screening looked at my customs declaration and asked me how long I had been in Thailand, and I replied that I lived there. She looked up sharply at me and sent me to secondary inspection.

There were two Customs Officers at secondary, a man and a woman. There was one person in front of me waiting for secondary. The female agent flipped casually (i.e. slowly) through the pages of some books on Asian antiques and then we watched in amazement as she spent a good five minutes examining each photo on a digital camera, and then she pulled out a digital movie camera and started watching the movies. She did not seem to be fast forwarding, either. After the male Customs Officer finished doing a fairly thorough search of the items in the suitcase of his detainee, he told the guy he was free to go, and the person in front of me stepped up to him. I thought, "Great, I'm going to get the b*tch with the video fetish." However, the male Customs Officer took less than five minutes with his new interviewee, and I was called up. My inspection was merely questioning: "What do you do in Thailand? Why are you visiting USA? Did you bring any gifts or items for sale?" and within a few minutes I was on my way. The female officer, however, was still leaned back watching the videos on the the poor guy's video camera.

So, it seems pretty hit or miss. The female officer was obviously very interested in the photos/movies of the poor guy she cornered. He was an older, slightly unkempt fellow, and I have no idea where he had come from. The male officer did three types of inspections that I observed: a fairly throrough suitcase search (but no inspection of camera or computer contents), a less thorough search on the guy just before me, and no search -- just questions -- for me.

I also know there were some passengers, including one older falang male with what looked like six bar boys (that's another story...), on my flight who had also connected from BKK (I arrived on a NRT-LAX flight) that breezed through customs before me, without being directed to secondary inspection.

So, it seems to be just the luck of the draw, even at LAX.

[Lunchtime O'Booze]

your cell phone card for images..I don't think it's hit and miss..more profiling although what criteria they useis anyone's guess.

One should always be polite but there are times I've snapped and said either arrest or let go on my way..or mind your own bloody business to some of their unbelievable probing questions which have no sense at all to be asked.

I've also complained in writing about 2 custom's officials in the UK and received written apologies after threats to sue. Most officers will be perfectly OK but it only takes one officious idiot to spoil your day.

I take my small 12.1" laptop and have not been stopped. But my laptop is small enough to fit in my shoulder bag and is not recognizable like a larger laptop in a separate laptop bag. Same experience as Bob at LAX. However, a friend of mine on returning from his first trip to thailand, was pulled out of the line, his camera inspected, and was asked if he was "visiting a man or woman" in thailand. Not to be paranoid, but I"m going to upload any pictures I take of the BF or others shirtless or in swimsuits, to my Yahoo photobook, and erase them off the camera before leaving thailand.

In the prejudiced world we live in, gay activities will always be open to attack no matter how much we plead equality in the eyes of the law. Therefore the golden rules about travel to Thailand are 'dont leave pics in your camera and if you dont know how to erase them, then dont take a camera', and ' dont take a laptop as these days what is in it will always be found out no matter how clever yoiu are with encryption or wiping or whatever'
The mere act of being searched or asked probing questions is demeaning enough. OK, you may want to front it out and tell the world that you visit gay bars and meet people there and what the hell is wrong with that. Unfortunately, we all have a lot to lose so dont leave yourself open to this by being stupid with technology or being cavalier with how you treat customs people.

[Brad the Impala]

In the prejudiced world we live in, gay activities will always be open to attack no matter how much we plead equality in the eyes of the law. Therefore the golden rules about travel to Thailand are 'dont leave pics in your camera and if you dont know how to erase them, then dont take a camera', and ' dont take a laptop as these days what is in it will always be found out no matter how clever yoiu are with encryption or wiping or whatever'
The mere act of being searched or asked probing questions is demeaning enough. OK, you may want to front it out and tell the world that you visit gay bars and meet people there and what the hell is wrong with that. Unfortunately, we all have a lot to lose so dont leave yourself open to this by being stupid with technology or being cavalier with how you treat customs people.

Bugger all this. If you have done nothing illegal, don't bully yourself, or allow yourself to be intimidated. A "don't fuck with me" attitude is both safer and more honourable than allowing yourself to be a victim.

[bing]

Just arrived back from LOS and had a very easy time. The officer who took my customs declaration asked if I wanted some free advice. I said, "sure", and he pointed to the Magellan's passport and ticket holder around my neck. It has a plastic place for your drivers license at the bottom of it. He said it is an open invitation to identity theft to walk around with it, an observant person could pick up your name, address and perhaps even a Social Security Number. So I thanked him and walked on. About a half hour later it came to mind I forgot to mention the $25.00 of photos. It is good to have an easy time, but know that the next time could be the customs man from hell.

[bing]

Many of us have had assertiveness training, but really Brad, going up to the customs agent, it is best to walk up with a pleasant smile and a good afternoon on your tongue. Better to be smart than assertive. That's just me.

[Dboy]

Many of us have had assertiveness training, but really Brad, going up to the customs agent, it is best to walk up with a pleasant smile and a good afternoon on your tongue. Better to be smart than assertive. That's just me.

There are things you can do to make yourself less desirable to deal with. Smiling didn't work against the Nazi's and it won't work against Patriot Act/anti-geneva convention/pro-torture criminals either.

Dboy

[Brad the Impala]

Many of us have had assertiveness training, but really Brad, going up to the customs agent, it is best to walk up with a pleasant smile and a good afternoon on your tongue. Better to be smart than assertive. That's just me.

You don't need assertiveness training to stick up for your own rights. I am with you on smiling, but there is a victim smile, which includes that "please don't hurt me" look in the eyes, which gives bullies a hard-on, and the confident smile which says, "you can't touch me", which makes bullies think twice.

Nice idea ttom--

What software are you using to password protect or encrypt the data on your USB stick?

Does anyone have any good recommendation for encrypting of password protecting data on an external hard-drive?

I really feel very vulnerable having all my data available to anyone who plugs it into their computer.

Thanks,

DJ

Thanks.

Just choose any IT shop you know and tell them what you want. Within minutes they will produce any suitable solution, readymade and pretty inexpesive. For travel sticks encryption is already provided with a standad software pack.

In Bangkok the Pantip Plaza (i.e. Data-It) or the floor above can provide you with anything you need. But any other good IT shop can do the same.

[Hmmm]

Nice idea ttom--

What software are you using to password protect or encrypt the data on your USB stick?

Does anyone have any good recommendation for encrypting of password protecting data on an external hard-drive?

I really feel very vulnerable having all my data available to anyone who plugs it into their computer.

Thanks,

DJ

Thanks.

Just choose any IT shop you know and tell them what you want. Within minutes they will produce any suitable solution, readymade and pretty inexpesive. For travel sticks encryption is already provided with a standad software pack.

In Bangkok the Pantip Plaza (i.e. Data-It) or the floor above can provide you with anything you need. But any other good IT shop can do the same.

'Off the shelf' devices like this are unfortunately highly unlikely to have encryption that would cause more than a momentary stumbling block to the authorities.

They are designed to protect your information from thieves, not those with 'industrial strength' decryption tools. While it highly unlikely that the authorities would bother to use these with the average tourist (even a 'sex' tourist), you could be in for an uncomfortable time if customs tried to compel you to provide your passwords.

However you can easily set up a USB stick with free encryption software that is generally unrecognizable or 'plausibly deniable', and is unlikely to be decryptable in the time before you drop dead ...
http://www.truecrypt.org/

Encryption technology is a fascinating topic, and these tools are widely used by savvy business travellers who travel with company secrets.

I keep wondering what the heck you've got in your computers that's so sensitive. The formula for Coca-Cola?

I keep wondering what the heck you've got in your computers that's so sensitive. The formula for Coca-Cola?


Pepsi Max!

[Brad the Impala]

I keep wondering what the heck you've got in your computers that's so sensitive. The formula for Coca-Cola?

People keep their private lives on laptops. Unfortunately some people seem to be ashamed or embarrassed by their own private lives, with or without reason, who can say.

[AKAHagrid-old]

I use TrueCrypt, which takes a bit of reading to fully utilize, but gives you the highest level of encryption, and, through "plausible deniability" allows you to, if coerced, grudgingly provide a second password which will show a different set of files (different from the ones you *really* want to keep private), thus allowing any inspector to feel like they have really given you a good going over, while simultaneously preventing any really sensitive info from being accessed.

It is also important to wipe all the data (free space, auto-complete words on web forms, browser history, etc. as outlined in several other postings), so that none of your history/data can be found.

If you choose to go the thumbdrive route, I suggest the Portable Apps Suite [ http://portableapps.com/suite ], a completely free set of high-quality apps such as a browser, word processor, etc, all installed on your thumbdrive. Plus, since they now make thumbdrives up to 8 or 16 gigs, you really could put all your pix and other files on one.

That being said, I, too, have come thru LAX, Memphis, Atlanta, and SFO multiple times, with laptop, external hard drive, and digicam in tow. Never had a secondary inspection, always waved through with a "welcome home". I think a smile and relaxed approach (as opposed to a "lookin' for a fight" disposition) goes a long way towards convincing ICE that you simply aren't worth their time.

Anyone with specific questions/needs feel free to PM.

[Lunchtime O'Booze]

"Bugger all this. If you have done nothing illegal, don't bully yourself, or allow yourself to be intimidated. A "don't fuck with me" attitude is both safer and more honorable than allowing yourself to be a victim."
Brad is correct but the times I've hassled with immigration/customs is just annoying and rather fruitless..in the end.

Invisibility training is better...it can work..you train yourself to become "invisible" to others..you know what I mean.

ps: "I keep wondering what the heck you've got in your computers that's so sensitive. The formula for Coca-Cola?"

I do indeed have that formula boygeenyus..and it's on my laptop..encripted into a nude photo of Bucknaway..so you can image I don't want anyone looking at it.

[Dboy]

I am with you on smiling, but there is a victim smile, which includes that "please don't hurt me" look in the eyes, which gives bullies a hard-on


"please don't hurt me" is more-or-less what Carla Fae Tucker said (and George Bush laughed at) as he sent her to the lethal injection room.


Dboy