Director-general of the Excise Department Kritsada Jinavijarana has come out to ease the concern among drinkers that they could later be taxed for duty-free spirits.
People should not fret about getting taxed for duty-free alcohol in possession so long as they have no intention to sell it, the official said on Monday.
But he advised them to keep receipts or other proofs such as immigration stamps showing overseas travel as evidence.
His explanation came after reports that a man in Ratchaburi was taxed 34,910 baht for eight one-litre bottles of whisky after a raid by excise authorities at his shop in Ratchaburi on Feb 13.
The man, whose name was withheld, later posted on his Facebook warning other alcohol collectors about being taxed.
“Attention to all collectors of whisky bought from duty-free shops. One day a visitor could come to your place and seize them all if you don't drink it or open the caps," he wrote.
Mr Kritsada said excise authorities in the province raided his shop with a search warrant as they suspected it did not have a permit to sell playing cards.
While searching, they found the bottles of whisky with no excise stamps. Since it has a permit to sell alcohol, authorities charged him on suspicions of keeping them for sale, he said.
Each traveller coming from overseas is allowed to bring in one litre of tax-free spirits to the country.