Thai immigration

[Rogie]

Entering Thailand last Friday and to my dismay finding really long Q's at immigration, I noticed there were three immigration areas, called 1,2 and 3. I think the one nearest to where my plane landed was No.3, so noticing the long Q's I walked on to the next one, No.2 which turned out to be for aircrew and diplomats. Undeterred I then got to No.3 and to my delight the Q's were only about a quarter to a third the length at No.3.

 

Once I'd passed into the baggage reclaim area it was a simple matter to walk over to the appropriate carousel, where my bag was already on it. I reckoned that saved me a good 20 minutes to half an hour, not critical for me as I wasn't in any desperate hurry, but I do dislike queuing! On previous visits I have noticed some immigration booths are staffed by one and some by two officers. The rationale is that a Q where two officers are operating will move at twice the speed. That logic can come a cropper as I found out too late once when the very slow-moving Q got near enough to be able to read a notice in front of the booth "Trainee'!

[pong]

arr in late oct-and through without wait-then the 30 min wait was for luggage to come on. Why bother if you wait for A or B?

Arr back sun 27/11- and the usual 30-35 min wait in line. My tip: search for Qs with too many mainalnd Chinese and Russky-they hold up for ages-cannot read the forms, d not know that to write etc. Or cough up and pay the xxxTHB for ''bisnis class-fast processing channel. Not that this will speed up luggage.

[Guest fountainhall]

I noticed there were three immigration areas, called 1,2 and 3

I am used to going through the west immigration area (for Concourses E, F and G where most One World flights are cleared), but recently I have come in twice on the east side on TG flights. From what I could see, there are only two incoming Immigration areas - centre and west - since the east area is for domestic arrivals.

 

I decided to check the Suvarnabhumi airport website. Well, as a fairly constant critic of aspects of the airport's operation, someone certainly needs to get their teeth into making that website a bit more consumer friendly! A great deal of it is out of date and confusing. Here is the map for the arrivals level -

 

http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/85

 

As you should be able to see, it has the 'Customs' icon where 'Immigration' should be, and 'Shops and Restaurants' icons where 'Customs' should be (is that because they both take your money? )! Whilst it does show three Immigration lanes, what it does not point out is that the centre one is exclusively for Fast Track, APEC Business Card holders and Diplomats. So I assume there are only two for economy passengers - east (but actually in the centre - directly under the 'p' in 'Airport'!) and west.

[Rogie]

As you should be able to see, it has the 'Customs' icon where 'Immigration' should be, and 'Shops and Restaurants' icons where 'Customs' should be (is that because they both take your money? )! Whilst it does show three Immigration lanes, what it does not point out is that the centre one is exclusively for Fast Track, APEC Business Card holders and Diplomats. So I assume there are only two for economy passengers - east (but actually in the centre - directly under the 'p' in 'Airport'!) and west.

I agree they have some symbols wrong. The immigration No.3 where i encountered the long Q's is under the 'co' in com and the No.1 where I decamped is indeed under the 'p'. I also agree it is a pathetic map, in fact so awful I couldn't resist peering at it closely, just to see if any other errors. The baggage carousel where my British Airways flight was earmarked was No. 23 on the map so at the right hand extremity, but not far to walk from the immigration I used. By the way, are Thai's superstitious (silly question) - there is no baggage carousel No.13 . . . Looking at the map again (told you I was fascinated by it) I think it stands to reason No. 3 immigration will usually be busier than No.1 because it is the nearest to concourses E, F and G. 'D' is more or less in the middle and only 'C' is clearly nearer to No.1

[Guest fountainhall]

The immigration No.3 where i encountered the long Q's is under the 'co' in com

That's what I term the west area. You were unlucky because that BA flight from London arrives at the peak mid-afternoon time for a lot of One World flights and so queues are generally very long. Anyone else caught up in that scrum should take your suggestion and just walk further on to what should be the less congested central area.

[TotallyOz]

I have been very lucky on my last several trips with very little wait time at all. Never more than a few minutes. It is not like that returning to most airports in USA. They are a true PITA!

[Guest fountainhall]

I have been very lucky on my last several trips with very little wait time at all. Never more than a few minutes.

But then business class passengers on most airlines get access to the fast track lines which normally will only have one or two people waiting at each

[Rogie]

You were unlucky because that BA flight from London arrives at the peak mid-afternoon time for a lot of One World flights and so queues are generally very long.

You are quite right. It landed just after 4pm.

 

Another, unrelated aspect of my flight: I was interested to be subjected to one of the new whole-body scanning machines at Manchester airport. I'm all for them - if they work properly and efficiently, but I have no idea whether they do or not.

 

 

 

[Rogie]

They are a true PITA!

Just like those thin slabs of bread Mediterranean types love to stuff with greasy kebabs

 

 

[Guest anonone]

I have been very lucky on my last several trips with very little wait time at all. Never more than a few minutes. It is not like that returning to most airports in USA. They are a true PITA!

 

Hi Michael.

I have no idea how much international travel you do, but you might want to look into the Global Entry program. You apply, fill out background questionnaire, interview with CBP agent, and if approved, you use an automated kiosk to enter the US instead of standing in line at immigration. $100 for 5 years.

 

Takes no more than 2 minutes to enter US now....

 

More on the Thailand topic, I have been very fortunate this year as well. I typically run into more lines leaving Thailand then on entry. I have found, as others have indicated, that taking the 2 minute walk to an alternate set of lines makes things go much faster.

[Guest]

Good advice on immigration queues, I must remember to follow it next time.

 

However, even after going through the shortest lane in the first (ie busy) immigration block, there is still a long wait for my checked baggage.

[Rogie]

However, even after going through the shortest lane in the first (ie busy) immigration block, there is still a long wait for my checked baggage.

The combination of short Q's and baggage already waiting for you on the carousel makes for a pleasant surprise on the few occasions it's happened to me (as described above). Another factor is speed of disembarkation from the aircraft. My recent flight I was well back towards the rear of the plane and that was followed by a long walk to immigration, so even though I am a brisk walker there was ample time for the baggage to be unloaded.

 

[kokopelli]

Hi Michael.

I have no idea how much international travel you do, but you might want to look into the Global Entry program. You apply, fill out background questionnaire, interview with CBP agent, and if approved, you use an automated kiosk to enter the US instead of standing in line at immigration. $100 for 5 years.

 

Takes no more than 2 minutes to enter US now....

 

There is another plus and a minus. The minus is there will be a long wait for your luggage since you cleared Immigration so quickly; the plus is there is expedited Customs with none of the usual questions and secondary searches.

[Guest anonone]

There is another plus and a minus. The minus is there will be a long wait for your luggage since you cleared Immigration so quickly; the plus is there is expedited Customs with none of the usual questions and secondary searches.

 

I have gotten fairly adept at limiting my luggage to carry-on only. It makes things so much easier. With laundry in Thailand so easy and cheap, it just makes more sense.

 

I realize not everyone can manage it, especially if you are staying somewhere long than 2 weeks. My trips usually are only for a week to 10 days.

 

I do agree that if you habitually check luggage, the value of Global Entry is a bit diminished.

[KhorTose]

Hell, I travel with my Thai partner and always go with him through the Thai passport lines. I have never been questioned or stopped. The first time was nearly two years ago when one of the passport people told me I could do so.

[Guest fountainhall]

Or cough up and pay the xxxTHB for ''bisnis class-fast processing channel.

Anyone know how much this costs? I know that it's built-in to the cost of business/first class tix but I did not realise economy passengers can pay for that channel.

[Guest anonone]

Anyone know how much this costs? I know that it's built-in to the cost of business/first class tix but I did not realise economy passengers can pay for that channel.

 

This is a service offered by some private companies and is totally separate from the airlines. I have not used any company for this service, but a quick internet search revealed the following link

BANGKOK FAST TRACK SERVICE

Again, I have not used the service and am not vouching for their credibility.

 

They are showing arrival service with golf cart / fast track at 1750 Baht. Without the golf cart - 1100 Baht.

 

Also, just a word of caution. Not all airlines are providing fast track service for all their business class passengers. If this is of particular importance to you, make sure to ask if this is included before booking.

[Guest fountainhall]

This is a service offered by some private companies and is totally separate from the airlines.

Luckily I have an APEC Business Travel card which gives me fast track from any flight and any class of travel. I just wondered what the cost might be, as I assume airlines are charged for the service, and therefore increase prices accordingly for the top-end passengers. When I do travel business class, I notice that the fast track cards now require you to print your name, the date and flight number, which would seem to confirm this.

 

I also assume there must be a price for just the golf cart, because I have seen quite a number of business/first passengers using this from airlines who do hand out the fast-track cards. Not that I have any intention of using them, though! After almost any length of flight, I enjoy the walk.

[TotallyOz]

But then business class passengers on most airlines get access to the fast track lines which normally will only have one or two people waiting at each

 

LOL

 

Those days are over! I have until end of Feb for my elite status with 2 airlines and then I am back to commoner status again. I did not do enough flying in 2011 to qualify for 2012. I decided that Thai Air Premium Economy is the way for me to travel to Thailand. It is about 2,000 USD cheaper than an upgradeable fare from Delta and I got so pissed with them that I said screw them and will not try to fly the other 5k miles this year I need to be one of their higher tiers. It would only do me good if their upgradeable fares were reasonable. They are NOT.

[Guest fountainhall]

Michael, check out these sites -

 

http://www.businessmobility.org/key/abtc.html

http://www.apec.org/About-Us/About-APEC/Member-Economies.aspx

 

As you have a business in the USA and the US is a full member of APEC, you should be eligible for the APEC Business Travel card. Your business has to write to the relevant government department in your home country stating that you have to travel within APEC countries quite regularly. Even if that is not in fact true, the letter can always state it! You may not end up getting fast track entry into all APEC countries (two turned me down), but you will certainly get Thailand.

 

Of course you will need to make it sound as though your company has a legitimate and acceptable business reason for you to travel, but that shouldn't be hard to do.

[Rogie]

Those days are over! I have until end of Feb for my elite status with 2 airlines and then I am back to commoner status again.

Well, now now then, having known no different, I can only dream of fleeing the herd!

 

Here are a few ideas I came across

"Getting upgraded on a flight is one of the best travelling perks around, there's nothing like relaxing in first class knowing you paid for economy! But the thing is getting a flight upgrade need not just be a stroke of luck, there are ways to get upgraded on a flight and here's how...

 

 

Blagging, flannelling, verbal gymnastics, sweet talking

[kokopelli]

I believe that all the tips given above for an upgrade are worthless. I have been given a couple of free upgrades, back in the good old days, however I think they were to tease me to become a loyal customer. It worked, but after that it was all about money and more money. Delta is the worst of the worst and I, same as Michael, will switch allegiance to Thai since they offer good Premium Economy seating, the best in the business.

[TotallyOz]

Michael, check out these sites -

 

http://www.businessm...g/key/abtc.html

http://www.apec.org/...-Economies.aspx

 

Interesting. Thanks. I look into them.

[Guest thaiworthy]

I arrived late on the 10th and experienced none of the aforementioned problems. But then, most flights from USA seem to arrive after 10 pm. Never had long waits for luggage or long lines at Immigration. Almost got taken by a less reputable taxi driver that I hired from the metered taxi line downstairs. I asked him "Taxi meter?" several times before getting in despite having that tiny piece of paper given to me by the taxi lady who ushered me to him. But once inside he said "450 baht, ok? Same-same meter." Then he asked for the piece of paper, which I stupidly gave him. But then I said "I told you TAXI METER!" and he finally turned the meter on. 450 baht my ass. The fare was 210 baht by the time we got there plus tolls. I begrudgingly did give him a little tip because he handled my bags, but at least I did not have to haggle with him. I have since been told not to surrender that little piece of paper which has his ID. He could have lost his license with that cute stunt had I reported him, but at least I was not his latest victim.

[Guest fountainhall]

I believe that all the tips given above for an upgrade are worthless

I agree. They are pretty much out of date by about a decade, with the exception of elite status on the priority club of the airline you are flying - but not, note, the alliance you are flying!

 

I am no longer gold or silver on Cathay Pacific, sadly, but when I was, I did get upgrades from time to time. My best was a trip to Singapore five years ago. I was on the cheapest economy ticket which had cost around Bt. 4,500. On check-in at Suvarnabhumi, I was told the flight was full (always a good sign!) and that I'd be upgraded. When I looked at the ticket, I found it was first class (not even business class)! On the return to BKK, I was back in economy, but as I boarded, I got a special greeting from the Chief Purser who used to live next door to me. After we took off, she came back and said she was sorry she could no put me in business class (that flight had no first), but if I wanted a business class meal or special drinks, she'd organise it!

 

Until March, I still have top tier on British Airways (then I start the slippery slope downwards). Even though this will be my 11th year in the top tier, it has never once got me an upgrade on any other One World airline - only occasionally on BA flights.

 

Sorry to say that the suggestion about turning up early is virtually nonsense. Even when overbooked, airlines never upgrade the early passengers, for the simple reason they never know how many will fail to turn up. They can only upgrade once they know every economy seat is filled. So my mantra is always to turn up as late as possible! But I do agree about always being courteous and friendly with the check-in staff. Those who scream and shout never realise that the check-in staff have all the cards in such situations and can put you in the worst possible seat, or even bump you to another flight if they want!

 

Then he asked for the piece of paper, which I stupidly gave him.

This is a good point. Never give up that piece of paper! It