BKK passport control- how is it now?
Jun 11, 2012, 8:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,345
BKK passport control- how is it now?
I've seen a number of articles and heard a number of stories regarding immigration/ passport control at BKK, including this lengthy Yahoo! guide, and I was wondering how are the lines now? Going to be traveling there tomorrow so would be nice to know what to expect and more importantly how much time to give when exiting the country.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jun 11, 2012, 8:54 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,883
I don't know if anything's changed since I was there in January, but it took my husband almost 2 hours to get through. I was waiting for him on the other side and it was complete chaos. That was around 11pm when it seemed a lot of Intl flights arrived at the same time.
There is a special queue for First class customers -- make sure they give you the special pass on the plane.
There is a special queue for First class customers -- make sure they give you the special pass on the plane.
Jun 11, 2012, 8:56 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: YVR
Programs: A few.
Posts: 58
BKK passport control- how is it now?
Flew through 4 times in May. I saw no problems at all. 2 flights however were night flights. If you are flying business ask for express lane passes but even though I used it there was no need as lines were very light.
Jun 11, 2012, 9:58 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,508
Me too. 6 times - 5 mins each. Best I've ever seen it. They even had personnel out front guiding you to the shortest line. wj
Jun 11, 2012, 1:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,508
Jun 11, 2012, 6:19 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Saturday, 9 June arrival approx. 6:30 p.m. Snake lines have now been installed, so no more penalties (or at least greatly reduced penalties) for selecting the wrong line. Just under 15 minutes in the snake line, then another 5 in the individual Immigration booth line. There is a staff member at the head of the snake line controlling flow and directing pax to the individual lines.
Jun 12, 2012, 8:45 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: YVR
Programs: A few.
Posts: 58
Two of my flights were late one at 11pm and one at 12.35 am and two were day. around 2.30. No problems either time. airport was very organised and as said before theye even had hosts directing you.
Jun 12, 2012, 9:46 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia
Programs: KE Skypass, Morning Calm
Posts: 1,655
My immigration arrival this past April was the fastest experience of 13 years of visiting Thailand, 2 to 3 times a year; the departure experience was quite quick as well.
Jul 4, 2012, 2:54 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Any more recent updates? Arriving at 06:40 a.m. on Thai Air from DXB. I'm thinking about buying the BFS Fast Track package.
Jul 4, 2012, 2:57 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,345
Forgot to update - but no more than a 3 minute wait for arrival and departure at BKK; seems like the problem has been fixed! Thanks for the replies.
Jul 4, 2012, 8:16 pm
#14
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
The 'fix' is simply less pax arriving/departing. The only way in which we'll have any idea if the huge lines have been adequately dealt with is with the commencement of tourist season later this year.
Jul 4, 2012, 8:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,118
Arrived at 0010 on the morning of Saturday June 30. Lots of flights arriving at that hour and wait was probably around the same in both immigration concourses as lots of passengers were being bussed in. Around maybe 20 minutes total ? However, the line then got really long with more flights coming in.
Exit immigration at 1415 on Tuesday July 3. Went through central immigration concourse where you now go up the escalator to security first (large area) before proceeding back downstairs to the original immigration area. Total wait at immigration was around 15 minutes.
Exit immigration at 1415 on Tuesday July 3. Went through central immigration concourse where you now go up the escalator to security first (large area) before proceeding back downstairs to the original immigration area. Total wait at immigration was around 15 minutes.