Transited at BKK last night, coming from domestic side to International with the famous sticker on my shirt. Shoes, Belt, Jackets, Laptops out, pockets empty. They have a machine that is similar to the new ones in the U.S. but I am not sure if that is the cancer machine, one needs to raise their arms though. We were caught of guard and Mrs. EX went thru that machine. In any case, we are not sure if opt out is an option in Thailand. I on the other hand was lucky and was directed to the WTMD. Next time I will try to find a direct flight into HKT in order to avoid the BKK security theatre. While walking we noticed the lines for travelers starting their trip in BKK were huge. I am convinced now that flying will never ever be fun again as it used to be. Thank heaven, I have good memories, though.

Must be pretty new; I don't recall seeing any there in December.

Yes, the CIQ transfer area has one (MMW ATD), but only in the left lane as I recall. The right lane is still WTMD so you can self opt out.

Can you opt for a pat-down instead of the scanners?

That is correct, however, they were directing people to which machine they should go. No self choice ( if that's a word ).

I've been flying through BKK for years, usually about twice a year. It was either July or October of 2011 that I got fed through the cancer machine for the first time, and the screening gate I was going through did NOT offer an opt-out.

This is really sad, but I'm now going to avoid BKK and SYD.

The deployment of these technologies is sadly theatrical - most likely a measured response to recent wave of reports of terrorism threats throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand - prompting a number of countries to update/post travel advisories, alerts, warnings, etc. to its citizens - and the Thai government responding ...

Yeah, I don't have go to BKK or SYD for a while. Too many problem. I dislike the bodyscanners. Why they can't get rid of it?

I didn't see any of this last night whilst leaving BKK?

I seem to miss all the fun

You can buy premium airport departure service (which includes an escort from check-in to lounge or gate) for about $28USD per person. Arrival service (escort from gate to ground transportation or to the front of the line for transfer security) costs about $23USD; it costs $43USD if you want a golf cart from the gate.

http://www.bangkokflightservices.com/index.html

Their services are reasonably priced and flawlessly executed. ^

Just once in my life I'd like to ride one of those golf carts. I'd feel like a VIP.

BKK is a very long airport, with two wings (East and West) protruding into the airfield. At both of the intersections there are (at least) two transit security points. One of the points is big (3 lanes or so), and the other one is small (2 lanes). I recall that the 3-lane setups had big lineups while the 2-lane setup had almost no lineups since they were not as obvious to find.

The 3-lane setup ios split into 1 MD and 2 MMW. The 2-lane setups have 1 MD and 1 MWW, with the MD lane "reserved" for staff...

We were able to go through BKK without using the MMW. If you refuse, they will send you to the other security point, and you simply have to choose the correct lane.

So what exactly is the situation? Are opt outs allowed? Or will you be prevented from boarding, forcing you to do a SDOO on the other side?

Will this allow you to skip the MMWs?