We're leaving Thailand tomorrow (sad) and heading to Bali (excited). I have 2 questions that I'm hoping someone can answer asap:

1) Do I pay a departure tax or was that included in the taxes that I paid for the airfare? Just managing how much Baht I need to get thru the day...

2) We went to a great ceramics place in Lamphun with Sargeant Kai yesterday, but the place does not really handle shipping. The cheapest method for him is to buy a cubic square meter container which was going to cost us B16500! They were only going to cost B4000 combined so it was definitely not worth that. Does anyone have other shipping methods/ideas? (before someone asks, they won't fit in our luggage and I'm already lugging around half my house.

I've shipped UPS before. It's pretty expensive, but maybe not the cost of a cubic square meter... I don't know.

Your exit tax for Thailand should have been paid in the price of your ticket. It's been that for a couple of years now.

Enjoy Bali!

Departure tax was included in the ticket price.

Can't help with shipping but know it is expensive.

i have used fed-ex but i think that may be way too expensive for dishes....last year i paid about $185. for a 25 kilo package

I'm surprised the ceramic place won't ship. You can use the Thai postal service - they are surprisingly good. But you'll need someone to pack them for you.

I use UB Worldwide shipping for my UPS shipping in Chiang Mai. They are located across the street from the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in the strip of shops on that street. They will pick up and pack and ship the best way for you. UPS will ship door to door, but gets there in 2-3 days. Ask for Chaiyut or Wandee and tell them Gale Carson sent you. Am not sure where you are now, but I hope this helps.

I used Fedex for shipping a 2ft bronze buddha from CM to London - As I recall it cost around $100 and took a week but despite being well packed it did arrive damaged.

Ceramics are a big problem when shipping is a concern(breakage). I would suggest that you send it via Thai Cargo and perhaps even on the same flight as the one you're taking back. Check this link - http://www.thaicargo.com/cargo_terms.asp

Thanks everyone. The ceramic company will ship it, but they are more of a wholesaler and only have a relationship with those types of shipping arrangements. I'll check on all of these options once I get to Bali because we did not purchase them due to the concern over shipping costs. As usual, Fodorites come to the rescue.

I've packed and shipped antiques, Art and ceramics all over the world. If you want some info, PM me.

I've also got shipping contacts in Bali.