eeraby

Thank you.
I'm still in the states trying to get everything all sorted out. This flight's really important as we head straight to My Tho for a 4 day custom tour for my American war veteran husband. So... I really *must* get there. No room for flight problems.
Perhaps I should wait another month in the hopes that the code share shows back up?

transpac

For maximum 'security' maybe fly CNX-BKK on PG on the evening of the 23rd, stay in a hotel near the airport, then fly BKK-SGN on VN on the morning of the 24th? Otherwise lock in the two separate flights on the 24th with PG and VN, which should be fine. I wouldn't wait too much longer. Or even contact a Thai-centric travel agent in the U.S. to see if they can ticket the CNX-BKK-SGN ticket on PG now? Or contact PG directly now via email or telephone?

doug 2205

Hey travelers
Two questions, TIA for your replies.

We're arriving at BKK around midnight on a weekday and departing from DMK at 8am on Saturday for a domestic flight.

What's your prediction regarding immigration lines and the utility of fast pass (we have no status, will have to buy it) at midnight for BKK?
Next question
Air Asia recommends that we arrive 3 hours in advance for DMK to Krabi on Saturday morning. How long will the baggage check in and security lines be? If we I've read about DMK s many difficulties, but three hours?

And thanks to the OP for creating this thread If there's another place where I can find this information please let me know

Diplomatico

Immigration lines at BKK are completely unpredictable. A lot of flights seem to arrive in that "around midnight" time so I've seen it bad and I've seen it painless. I generally purchase the fast track pass (if not provided by the airline) when flying into BKK, regardless. I definitely would if I arrived at midnight and had a flight the next morning at 08:00 am (and wanted some sleep.)

Regarding your domestic flight the next morning on AirAsia, arriving two hours prior to departure should be plenty of time. I've flown from DMK a couple of times in the last two months and each time security took less than five minutes (weekday mid-morning flights). Early morning on a Saturday, I wouldn't expect much problem there. I don't check bags but - again - I wouldn't expect teeming crowds when checking bags at 06:00 am on a Saturday morning.

EmailKid

Even thogh I had the pass ended up going through regulat line as it was only about five deep. Pretty quick, but no idea on luggage as I am carryon only

tide

SK AAR

Q1: Impossible to predict, but most likely the lines will be relatively short. I wouldn't purchase a fast track pass in order to speed up immigration clearance.
Q2: Arriving 3 hours before would be insane. For a domestic flight I would arrive shortly before the check-in deadline/cut-off for bagage drop if you do OLCI. No reason to be there earlier than this.

ftrichard

transpac

How long was your wait?

There are two halls, and I think TV displays which show the queues in the 'other' hall.

A friend arrived (at SBIA/BKK) Thursday at 2:00 AM (so late Wednesday night) and he reported long lines, he waited 45 minutes, He said there were very few Immigration Officers, so the lines were long. He had no issue with the taxi queue, driver or metered fare.

We are heading into higher season - there has been a noticeable increase in tourists observed around town this week, no doubt enjoying the awesome weather, and it always seems to take Imm. time to "react".

BTW, I think I saw mention of adding kiosks specifically for Chinese visitors, but not sure if that was just someone's idea.

EmailKid

Yes, the Chinese only is very much a thing, but I'm not sure they added as much as converted. Someone posted in another thread that the lines were shorter, but moved slower.

Lucky for me we arrived in just the right time, so got through the regular time in no time. Returning OTOH ..... shortly after midnight the lines looked ugly, so made sure to make use of my pass for the fast line, and that was rather quick. I know from painful past experience that a line of even ten pax can take forever to clear into secure area

dsquared37

You're correct on the 'converted' account; the desk numbers remain static. Chinese nationals tend to take longer for immi agents to stamp their passports, don't know why this is and if other VOA groups like India nationals also take the additional time, so have lanes that specifically cater to them could potentially speed up other lines if the preponderance of nationals are eligible for a 'visa exemption stamp'.

ftrichard

I was lucky. Initially I joined the shorter queue and then saw that it was leading to a row of Chinese Passport kiosks and I was the only white traveller in the queue. I then went back and joined the horrendous queue where I got frustrated and irritated with everyone else. After a few minutes the queue dragons then directed those of us at the back to the Chinese queue and we rushed there and got through in about ten minutes. The main queue barely moved in that time so I have no idea how long it took.

Of course, there were many Chinese in the main queue too so it makes you wonder why they bother with this segregation if the point is to process Chinese passports separately because they take longer and the queue dragons do not enforce this. On the other hand when in the Chinese queue the Chinese passports didn't seem to be taking much longer to process than anyone else's so maybe they're reacting to a non-issue now. Who knows.

Ultimately, it reminded me that you can pay for a fast-track at this airport (right?) and I really loath immigration queues especially late at night so I will investigate the fast-track in the future.

Like your friend, once through, there was no queue for the taxi and the driver used the meter without question. But then, I behave like I know what I'm doing and where I'm going at BKK (which I do) so they probably work out that I'm not exactly on my first trip to Asia and Bangkok. And, yes, awesome weather this weekend.

ftrichard

Davvidd

I guess all the chinese flights also arrive at the same time. Normally the Taxi queue is very organized. I am surprised that they did not have attendants doing it manually. I have seen them do it in the past when the machines have broken down.

LIH Prem

You are lucky you finally got a decent one. I found grab to be basically useless on my last trip to Thailand in Dec-Jan.

I just take an AOT Camry to/from the the airport. Yes, I pay a little bit more for it. (1200 for a Camry, 950 for an SUV)

Did you consider going upstairs to the departure level?

-David