Warning on current immigration clearance time
Feb 29, 2012, 8:09 am
#286
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA, AA, BMI, MR, HH, PC
Posts: 806
I arrived off TG917 from LHR on 14/2 and headed for usual extreme right TG fast track. I had used this many times in the past and always with a TG F or J BP. This time something looked different; IIRC the division screen with TG livery was gone making it more difficult than usual to identify. There was still the lane for diplomats, and a lane for assissted pax (cannot recall if they had this before). The only other lane was for Thai passports, nothing for foreigh passports. That is why I was wondering if it was relocated or simply not open at time of my arrival as the rest of immigrated was absolutely packed. I tried to find out from security there but their English was poor. However, after scrutinizing my BP they ushered me through assissted pax lane. I'll be arriving TG J at BKK again on 16/3 so I'll report back on my experience then.
Yes, that's all well and good and business as usual. Either there was a misunderstanding on ScottieFlyer's behalf or things have changed. He mentioned his experience was about 2 weeks ago and you provide a time of day but not a date of your previous experience making your information fine for people who have no knowledge but meaningless when attempting to address a specific question.
I haven't been through immigration in BKK in about 2 months (possibly the longest stint in 5 years) so I'm just trying to ascertain if anything has changed recently.
And there have been indications TG is no longer handing out the FT cards while some have said they were received. Prior to the cards being handed out the use of Fast Track lanes were predicated on possessing a BP. This in itself I'd also like clarification on from those who have been through recently.
I still have 8 FT cards and 5 or 6 entries into the kingdom in the next two months - only half of which are the result of flights on TG C/F so the cards will come in handy if still extant 'currency'. It would be nice to avoid the crazy immigration wait times if possible.
I haven't been through immigration in BKK in about 2 months (possibly the longest stint in 5 years) so I'm just trying to ascertain if anything has changed recently.
And there have been indications TG is no longer handing out the FT cards while some have said they were received. Prior to the cards being handed out the use of Fast Track lanes were predicated on possessing a BP. This in itself I'd also like clarification on from those who have been through recently.
I still have 8 FT cards and 5 or 6 entries into the kingdom in the next two months - only half of which are the result of flights on TG C/F so the cards will come in handy if still extant 'currency'. It would be nice to avoid the crazy immigration wait times if possible.
Feb 29, 2012, 8:20 am
#287
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
Last Thursday I went through the middle arrivals immigration which has only been for VOA, Fast Track, Diplomatic, etc. There is no standard immigration there. I flew TG Y but had a TG Fast Track pass from a previous trip. All of the lanes were marked Diplomatic. I walked up with my TG FT pass, they looked at it front and back and then processed me. We'll see if I can do it again tomorrow. * nervous*
Feb 29, 2012, 11:09 am
#288
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
This was the main reason I joined Global Entry program, the TG arrival at LAX TBIT. Through the immigration kiosk (no queuing) in less than 5 minutes, pick up bags (slight wait for delivery), then to the front of the Customs line. Usually out to the curb in about 20 minutes. Have literally bypassed about 1000 people in the queues. 
As for BKK, I haven't been through there in quite a long time but have an upcoming in late April or May likely in J. So yes, please keep the latest information coming on arriving and departing Fasttrack lane locations, cards/BP's or hall monitor passes needed, and any other complications. I echo the call to please provide specifics on dates and times, it really does help!
As for BKK, I haven't been through there in quite a long time but have an upcoming in late April or May likely in J. So yes, please keep the latest information coming on arriving and departing Fasttrack lane locations, cards/BP's or hall monitor passes needed, and any other complications. I echo the call to please provide specifics on dates and times, it really does help!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/pract...-airports.html
Once the UA/CO merger is complete you should be able to add your GE membership number to your UA profile,
Feb 29, 2012, 7:07 pm
#289
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA, AA, BMI, MR, HH, PC
Posts: 806
Last Thursday I went through the middle arrivals immigration which has only been for VOA, Fast Track, Diplomatic, etc. There is no standard immigration there. I flew TG Y but had a TG Fast Track pass from a previous trip. All of the lanes were marked Diplomatic. I walked up with my TG FT pass, they looked at it front and back and then processed me. We'll see if I can do it again tomorrow. * nervous*
I always seem to end up in the one huge immigration area with TG Fast Track on the extreme right. I wasn't even aware others existed despitye having come through the airport at least 4 times a year since it opened. I guess next time I arrive I should pay more attention where I'm going and look out for alternative options.
Feb 29, 2012, 8:37 pm
#290
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Where is this immigration lounge, and how many are there in total?
I always seem to end up in the one huge immigration area with TG Fast Track on the extreme right. I wasn't even aware others existed despitye having come through the airport at least 4 times a year since it opened. I guess next time I arrive I should pay more attention where I'm going and look out for alternative options.
I always seem to end up in the one huge immigration area with TG Fast Track on the extreme right. I wasn't even aware others existed despitye having come through the airport at least 4 times a year since it opened. I guess next time I arrive I should pay more attention where I'm going and look out for alternative options.
Mar 1, 2012, 12:18 am
#291
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Thai ROP Gold, BMI DC (RIP), Avios
Posts: 189
My arrival from LHR into BKK on TG917 was on Saturday 25th Feb 2012.
Apologies for not mentioning this important fact !
Therefore, IMHO nothing has really changed, apart from the lack of Fastrack cards being handed out on the plane, and the use of boarding passes instead.
Regards, Graham
Apologies for not mentioning this important fact !
Therefore, IMHO nothing has really changed, apart from the lack of Fastrack cards being handed out on the plane, and the use of boarding passes instead.
Regards, Graham
Mar 1, 2012, 4:06 am
#293
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Singapore
Programs: TG Gold, MPC Silver, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 563
I flew BKK-SIN on the 8am flight this Monday and it was absolute chaos, the queues for reg immigration were out the hall and stretched outside all the way back to D aisle.
I have a fast track service that takes me thru where all other premium flyers were going through (I was flying TG Y) and even that was crazy. Queue for the immigration backed right up to the security scanners so they had to pace people thru screening.
Fortunately my escort was not in the mood for hanging about and dragged me from the back of the queue and had jumped me right to the front. Well worth the money for that service having to through that zoo !
I have a fast track service that takes me thru where all other premium flyers were going through (I was flying TG Y) and even that was crazy. Queue for the immigration backed right up to the security scanners so they had to pace people thru screening.
Fortunately my escort was not in the mood for hanging about and dragged me from the back of the queue and had jumped me right to the front. Well worth the money for that service having to through that zoo !
Last edited by newshound; Mar 1, 2012 at 4:20 am
Mar 2, 2012, 8:21 am
#295
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Flew in to BKK on Sun, Feb 19 evening from SIN on TG408 and immigration was packed to the brim with lines all backed up and it took a good 45mins to get through. I was in Y.
Flew in again on Thu, Mar 1 morning coming in on the 8:15am TG flight from SIN and lines were pretty long again, but not quite as bad taking about 30mins to clear. I was in Y.
Overall I agree that it is getting worse and worse again and time of the day almost does not matter any longer.
Flew in again on Thu, Mar 1 morning coming in on the 8:15am TG flight from SIN and lines were pretty long again, but not quite as bad taking about 30mins to clear. I was in Y.
Overall I agree that it is getting worse and worse again and time of the day almost does not matter any longer.
Mar 2, 2012, 12:52 pm
#296
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
I flew BKK-SIN on the 8am flight this Monday and it was absolute chaos, the queues for reg immigration were out the hall and stretched outside all the way back to D aisle.
I have a fast track service that takes me thru where all other premium flyers were going through (I was flying TG Y) and even that was crazy. Queue for the immigration backed right up to the security scanners so they had to pace people thru screening.
Fortunately my escort was not in the mood for hanging about and dragged me from the back of the queue and had jumped me right to the front. Well worth the money for that service having to through that zoo !
I have a fast track service that takes me thru where all other premium flyers were going through (I was flying TG Y) and even that was crazy. Queue for the immigration backed right up to the security scanners so they had to pace people thru screening.
Fortunately my escort was not in the mood for hanging about and dragged me from the back of the queue and had jumped me right to the front. Well worth the money for that service having to through that zoo !
Mar 2, 2012, 12:58 pm
#297
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,153
The TG fasttrack for premium passengers are at the far right of the immigration lanes at BKK. Currently TG don't seem to be giving FASTTRACK coupons, but using C/F boarding pases.
The facility seems to be shared with diplomatic entry, and is only a couple of stations (4 lanes I think if all manned, but only 2 active on my last visit).
Unfortunately these are not well signposted, and on my recent visit (TG917 arriving approx 3:20pm, it was a struggle to get past the Q's overflowing the Imagration area, back to the concourse !
Still, this worked for me, once I'd navigated past the Q's - nobody waiting and through in a couple of minutes, when I'd estimate the normal lines would have been between 30 mins and 1 hour.
These delays only are mainly foreigners - my wife saw a short Q for Thai nationals on the way to the fasttrack, and cleared within a few minutes.
Regards, Graham
The facility seems to be shared with diplomatic entry, and is only a couple of stations (4 lanes I think if all manned, but only 2 active on my last visit).
Unfortunately these are not well signposted, and on my recent visit (TG917 arriving approx 3:20pm, it was a struggle to get past the Q's overflowing the Imagration area, back to the concourse !
Still, this worked for me, once I'd navigated past the Q's - nobody waiting and through in a couple of minutes, when I'd estimate the normal lines would have been between 30 mins and 1 hour.
These delays only are mainly foreigners - my wife saw a short Q for Thai nationals on the way to the fasttrack, and cleared within a few minutes.
Regards, Graham
Mar 2, 2012, 6:50 pm
#298
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Singapore
Programs: TG Gold, MPC Silver, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 563
Yes, I pay an annual charge for unlimited meet and greet for both arrival and departure. The company is called Thailongstay...
http://www.thailongstay.co.th/packageandpromotions.html
I have the silver package which means no buggy on arrival, you can pay more for that with the gold package if req.
http://www.thailongstay.co.th/packageandpromotions.html
I have the silver package which means no buggy on arrival, you can pay more for that with the gold package if req.
Mar 3, 2012, 6:29 am
#299
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: TG Plat , AF Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 915
BKK immigration is Thailand's shame
BKK is a big <redacted> once again for those who cannot have a fastrack through immigration, and the corrupt and incompetent thais supposed to run the show do not give a .... .
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airpor...um/bkk-suv.htm
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/...irport-122012/
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/...t-immigration/
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airpor...um/bkk-suv.htm
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/...irport-122012/
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/...t-immigration/
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 6, 2012 at 8:02 am Reason: TOS q#88 offensive language
Mar 3, 2012, 9:29 am
#300
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Programs: ROP Gold
Posts: 1
Arrived to BKK today around 5.30 AM and it took about ½ hour to get through (not fast tracking today) but queues were rapidly building up behind me.
No Fast Track pass/card given on the flight and according to the cabin crew these are now history and BP must be used instead.
So much for all the Fast Track cards I've saved up for days like this one...
No Fast Track pass/card given on the flight and according to the cabin crew these are now history and BP must be used instead.
So much for all the Fast Track cards I've saved up for days like this one...