We should all travel with our sisters.

You, obviously, have not met my sister.

I didn't say we'd talk to them.

 

We could always sell them once they served their purpose.

I think the reason for me being searched came from the INS agent who scanned my passport upon entry and then made a red mark on my customs form. The friend traveling with me had a green mark and was not searched at costoms.

This is why I think there is a list of names with little other narrowing information to tell if "I" am indeed the person on this list. They just search everyone whose name appears on the list.

Something the customs lady did the last time stopped the searches at least the last two times I've gone through customs. I will be coming to Pattaya again next month so I will see if the non-search still continues.

They do random search people going through customs but I was on a list of some sort.

 

When you hand your passport to the INS agent he swipes your passport and marks your customs form. I agree it is this mark on your customs form that you hand to the customs agent that determines if you are waived on or asked to step aside for a closer inspection. But I have no idea what criteria the INS agent uses in determing which mark to place on your customs form. I fit some profile as I am stopped about 80 % of the time. They have never confiscate anything as I never have anything that I shouldn't have, but they thoroughly search my luggage and view the pics on my digital camera and and even ask to see any other memory card I may have. Oh well, it is only time - not the end of the world.

I agree it is this mark on your customs form that you hand to the customs agent that determines if you are waived on or asked to step aside for a closer inspection

 

I really am not sure this is correct - at least not in all cases. When I was stopped at Boston, the customs agent had a good look at the form and was about to check me through. It was only when he spotted Thailand on the itinerary that he changed his mind and asked me to move to the line for special screening.

 

If your name happens to be on a list and you fly within in the US, you are likely to see the letters SSS on your boarding passes/tickets - short for "Special Security Screening".