dogeatdog

Ok fresh update as of the 15th October.

Had to return again this morning.

(I had a problem with a thai doc yesturday, 100% my fault.)

So how did a Tuesday differ from Monday? ?

Well not much really, same procedure as yesturday. The 3 doors etc, front door having less people than the others. Less people today at 07.30 as well but thats normal.

Monday always busy.

Around 25 people there about 08.00am for legalization, national song etc.. and up the stairs to the 3rd floor.

Got ticket C002 today :-) getting better.

All "E" tickets from the quota of 30 gone by 08.30 today so if you really want that same day stuff be there for doors opening at 07.30 and you should be fine.

Only difference today was the cashier never turned up for work untill 09.00am so no receipts issued and no applications processed till then.

Incredible they have no back up person for this.

However despite their inability to operate with out the cashier for 1 hour the first return of documents started at 11am so not bad, thats a 2 hour turn around.

But normally it will be the standard 3 to 4 hour wait depending in the complexity. Normal for translation services.

1 top trick if you want to be first in the queue for upstairs is.....

When the doors open at 07.30 all people have to have their bags hit with security's black electronic stick.

Not sure what the stick proves, I don't think they know either but anyway thats the proceedure.

This bag hitting causes a little pause in the proceedings and a small backlog of the people. However if you have no bag you can just walk straight in and by pass the bag hitting security.

Saw today a guy give a girl his bag to her at 07.28 am. At 07.30am doors open he ran up the stairs and first inline. She waited to get both bags hit and then she joined him again up stairs after about 5 mins.

Quite cool I thought think they are pros at this office.

Agian good luck to all

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Just some updated and general info for all regarding max 30 per day limit for express service.

Yes it is true as I posted in another thread that as of july 2013 only the first 30 applicant's can receive same day service.

So how has this changed things???

Not much really, i was there today, first time since this came into effect.

So here is my experience.

There's still the 3 entry and exit points at the ground level, they are, the front door, the side door and the carpark door at the rear.

So for the timing..

I arrived at 07.15 am on a monday (can be a busy day normally).

At the front door there maybe about 50 people, at the side door only about 8 people and at the carpark door around 25 people.

(Side door is the longest root through the building.)

Doors to the building open at 07.30am only to the second floor.

Most people are there for passport collection and application so dont panic and run... unless you need a thai passport.

The queue to the 3rd floor for legalization etc. Was around 40 people deep by 08.00 am.

National tune played as norm and then after you can proceed upstairs.

Hand your forms over for a quick check and collect your ticket. Very much the same as it used to be.

But the important thing I observed today was regarding the 30 applications for same day service.

I assumed....... (stupid thing to do in thailand I know) that it was a straight 30 applicants and thats your lot. But no this is not the case.

It would appear that its 30 applicants per category.

Today I had a "C" ticket for her thai birth cert and a thai to english translation to be done so an "E" ticket as well.

So I have 2 tickets and request express service on both. Because its 30 for each category, first 30 for "C" I was number 004 and first 30 for "E" I was also number 004.

Was quite worried at the time that while I was dealing with "c" ticket they call "e" that would have been a disaster as I would loose my "e" ticket.

Knowing translations take longer than the other stuff I felt ok and it worked out fine. Few...

So its 30 applicants for "A" "B" "C" "D" "E" so that's quite a lot really.

Waiting time for express is still 3 to 4 hours and collection is still at counter 7/8. Collection by name when called that is.

My tickets were stamped at 08.32 for "c" and 08.43 for "e" ticket.

Both were ready at 11.20am

Point of notice was the ticket numbers on the board were all in their late 50's by then (say 11.30 am) so no more express for the day in all categories.

To summarise I guess if you want/need same day life and death situation then get there before 07.30. 07.00 to 07.15 seemed ok today.

But would suggest if your happy go lucky type and not bothered then arrival after 8am could work on the day too.

As ppl say before agent can do still the service for a fee but not express or you can still have it posted to you if you like.

Good luck with MFA......

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Lets try something a little more grown up than "wiki"

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/international/domicile.htm

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You don't need to answer any of those questions.

What your intentions are for the future, are nothing to do with your kid's passport.

I have to agree there. I should have said before.

Its a questionare to gain samples thats all.

Answer or not answer the choice is yours. It has no bearing on you or your family.

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Ok as you have said its for the Uk then its quite easy to follow.

The meaning of the word "Domicile" in english tax/immigration affairs refers to your original place of birth.

I personally hate the word as it can have other meanings in other countries.

So quickly "Domicile" in english is something you cant change ever. If you were born in England the your domicile will be England.

If for example you dont know where you were born and no registration then you automatically take on your fathers domicile. If that is unknown then it falls to your grandfather and so on.

Back to the questions.

All it's about is a simple questionare for general info regarding your intensions for the future.

For example, your domicile is england but you plan to retire in Spain. If you die there in spain you want to be left there and so on and so.

The answers you give have no reflection on what you may diside on in the future.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the forms.

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Can confirm this via MFA's very cumbersum and not very helpfull website. Especially if you cant read thai.

Tucked away in the small unnoticeable news section, it changed in July this year.

As from July 2013 ONLY the first 30 applicant's everyday will be granted the express service. The rest will just be offered the normal std service. (1 to 2 working days)

I guss due to its location and the relatively low cost of the express service they are "overloaded" with express applications.

So I guess anyone hoping to complete a marriage in 1 to 2 days are going to be struggling from now on.

Best advice I guess is just to go early??

We see this all the time with government services and not just in Thailand. Restricting and limiting because of overload and in general this never works, all that happens is larger queues form earlier and earlier during the opening hours.

Truely if they want to push more people to the std service then just increase the express service cost.

Nearly all people's who apply for rapid/express/same day services anywhere (including visas) is not because they need the documents the same day but in general its because they dont want to make a return journey to that office.

I always feel sorry for the people that genuinely require rapid service's.

Something else worth knowing about EMS is that they won't deliver to the Isle of Man. I tried doing it twice but both times it never left Thailand. I assume this would apply to all offshore islands.

Yes indeed, I had problems as well to New Caledonia and Tahiti. The tracking system shows that it went to Roissy airport in Paris (!!? - the other way around the globe), stayed there for a while, then came back to me un-deliverable... and without explanation. Total wasted time: three week.

Well thats not too bad on their part???

But I think bloody annoying for you.

New Caledonia and Tahiti both come under Republic of France so I guess sending it to Charles de Gaulle Airport was a very good guess by them.

It shows that somebody was thinking.

French country so we send it to the capital of France and that will be Paris.

One can only Imagine the look on the post worker in CDG when it arrived there. Its no wonder they just returned it back here, I doubt air france has many direct flights to those places.

You know the standard of geography is sometimes lacking here.

It could of ended up in the standard geographical area.

"Just North of Chang Mai"

Thats where every country is situated when they dont know where geographically its location is in the world.

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God forbid such a thing.

Would lead mods having to spend 100 % if there time deleting posts.

Oh the arguements I can already here.

Hotels/guest houses and whatever you are looking for as a place to stay are always a personal choice.

We are all individuals and have different expectations of what we think a hotel should be.

In my experience the best hotels are always the ones you dont find on the internet but by word of mouth or by exploring.

As the poster says above trip advisor for sure will give you some idea.

But do you know the person reporting on the accomidation??

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DMK to HHQ???? Ummmmmm......

Take a look in 6 months from now and it will be discontinued for sure.

Many have tried and all have failed and Nok air will be no different.

There is no market for this at all. Never has been never will be.

Please dont laugh too much but the best way to reach hua hin in safety and normally in around 4 hours is by train.

Yes I said it by train and there's many services too.

As per post above a lot of bangkok ppl use the place and other areas around PKK.

In general they are not going to travel all the way too DMK wait for around 1.30 hours fly for 40 mins then land then pay taxi from airport.

They will just drive from bangkok for sure.

International tourist ummmm... arrive BKK transfer to DMK then do the same??? Enough said about that one already. But honestly that is there only potential market nok has.

It does not make any sence.

Drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin around 4 hours. Buses around 4.30 to 5 hours.By train 4 hours travel time no guarantees what time you leave.

Prices.... well I leave that to the experts but the most exspensive I here of is from BKK limo service at 4000 thb oneway but thats for 4 passengers so 1000 each not bad.

Went down there the other week travelling from bang na with gf. She thought I was crazy going on train.

We left home via taxi to hua lampong on Saturday morning using express way fare was 175 thb arrived in 20 mins waited for 30 mins then train departed at 8.20am ( ment to be 8.05am) arrived safe and well in hua hin just after 1pm.

Since we been back she is now a convert for the train to travel down there. She says its the safest and the easiest and the best.

Mind you her friends are not convinced!

There's no market for sure.. however if one was to offer a flight from CNX or URT or HKT or even HDY to hua hin then its possible that it may last.

But bangkok to hua hin come on, a waste of time.

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Sorry guys only 1 pic showing.

I hate this new app its impossible to use.

Please can we have the old one back??

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Tracking system is good, infact very good.

Never had any problems with it but you must remember tracking comes at a service and that service costs.

If you go to;

www.thailandpost.co.th/upload/list_ RCP.htm

you will find a list if countries and which services are traceable for which countries.

Certainly for Oz, the only 2 services that are traceable all the way are EMS and Parcel.

Standard registered "normal service" is not traceable outside of thailand, however you will receive an "accepted" notice once delivered but this may be delayed for some time.

Sorry cant paste the link to that page as the list is only viewable from thai language site and as it is adobe flash player driven and im using android I cant view it on my phone.

Here's a screen shot of the list for Australia and UK i took from pc.

"Standard registered post which costs around 150 thb has an average delivery time of 7 to 14 days"

At this std service your mail will arrive at suwanaphum airport within 1 to 2 days.

But then it will be consolidated with other freight and this takes time. Only once the consolidated palette is full the consignment can be booked on a flight.

Time for this to happen can be up to a week just sitting and waiting at the airport.

Remember this service is costing around 150 thb only.

If you dont want your mail consolidated with the bulk then you have to pay the 1000 thb rate and then it will depart the airport normally within the 3rd day of post.

Its the same system used worldwide and yes sometimes, there are mistakes and losses do occur, but this can happen and does happen in every country.

The only real guarantee of delivery of your mail arriving is if you hand carry it yourself.

And no I don't work for a post office!!!

Wow... sunday!!! Impressed

Thanks for a real answer too.

Yeah not sure about the payment either. I may call them for that one looking at their website, at first glance it would seem possible.

Have not followed through yet with the booking as they want you to enter your " life " in long draft first before you get to the bit you want to know about.

As im in bkk and there Area 1 I think I would recieve the same service. 2 to 3 days I guess.

Thanks again for your experience.

Does anybody have recent experience's of doing this..

I have a single tax document in the Uk and I need it here asap.

So looking for the best/fastest guaranteed way. Not interested in the cost really just want it here.

Before people start.

No im not going to hire a personal jet.

No im not going to fly there and collect it and bring back.

No I dont no any friends coming this way, hell friends????? Im using a forum right?? What gives you the impression I have any friends.

Yes know all about EMS etc......

Dont want to use UPS bad experiances with then bussiness and private use.

So with that out the way.....

DHL say on there website that I, as a private person can send a letter with them guarantee service signed for in 2 days from Uk.

But when I click on the delivery terms they only say from 2 today's only im missing the guarantee word??

Price is around £45 + vat.

I want to book and pay online here, then a person that I may or not know will drop at a wh smiths counter in uk. ( person that I may or not know, I have no friends remember)

Is it a guaranteed service??

Im in area 1 btw post code 11120 silom.

Many thanks for any answeres given.

Bangkok good as well.

In fact the best day in about 8 months.

Dam, i may actually have to pay a full months subscription if this keeps up.

Shame if it does, will kind of miss my monthly trip to 3bb counter to fill out my complaint/compensation form.

Basic package of 631 thb per month. Dont think I ever paid them more than 300 thb. Yes many phone calls and many visits by "engineer's" they always come in pairs, then trip to town fill in form and receive your reduction.

Fantastic service 3bb, long may it continue.

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That is good news for Aman and for people looking for indirect flight's.

Lets hope they make some of those good deals as I have seen in the past.

As for the cost of things from within an airport.... Name me an airport that doesn't charge the earth for food, drinks etc..

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R J Sometimes do have some very good deals especially over the peek period of dec - jan.

Did see last season as low as €500 rtn. That was from brussels.

As an airline goes they are ok customer wise and yes they have/going through a period of updating their fleet.

Biggest problem with this route it requires a stop over in Aman.

From what I have research in the past this lay over can be anything from 6 hrs to about 13 hours. (This may vary have not seen their winter schedule 2013/2014)

For those who have never been to jordan before, Aman airport (was) at best could only be described as basic, but this might be all in the past.

This year a brand new terminal was opening. My last trip to Aman was in October 2012. I have no idea what the new terminal is like so far.

As anyone arrived/departed from the new one yet?

It has to be better than the old terminal thats for sure, but could one be comfortable their for say 6 hours??

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As I said before its a guide line based upon the fact for the free'est of passport holders you cant stay normaly more than 6 months in some countries.

I have a uk passport well known for its freedom. Just used the dreaded wiki but according to them the longest I can stay in any country without doing anything else is 6 months. That NZ btw and thats the max.

Im so happy for all that has passed with travel docs under the guide line of 6 months.

It depends on the individual checking your docs. Screem and shout at them all you want about laws etc... But you are in their control and there country.

Off topic.. see a guy of western persuasion in myanmar embassy 3 weeks ago try to get an emergancy business visa at 4pm in the afternoon.

Quote ;

"have you not heard of Major general sanderson? "

It carried on like this for about 10 mins. No idea what the problem was I guess timming or paperwork. He went on and on and on then stormed out. No visa issued all the time I was there.

But I guess if I was to ask a question on a forum based around that, then people will come forward and say that the embassy is wrong.

That may well be the case, we dont know.. but the Morrell to the story is what happens to one may not happen to another.

6 months is just a guideline thats been adopted into folk law.

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Guys, the ruling on 6 months validity of a travel document is a general one and is advised worldwide.

It has been deemed by the experts???

That any person entering a country other than thier own, or one which they have other permits to remain shall have sufficient valid travel documents for the duration of that visit.

That has been defined by them (experts) as a validity of 6 months or more.

This lengh of time is a guideline for all countries bassed upon the fact that normally any stay beyond that point will require that person to follow other immigration processes within that country.

Most countries visa free or not have specific rulings on your stay based upon normally 28 days 3 months and 6 months.

Even in "free roaming europe" after 3 months of "planed" stay you should normally register elsewhere thus showing your travel docs. That includes fellow euros.

So 6 months is what is given as the guide to countries as the min.

How does that effect us??

Airline wise not to much bother as long as you can show valid travel doc's and it is for the duration of your travel they should "in general" not even pause for breath.

The exception would be if you only had a one way ticket... then maybe they would question. But really the airlines obligation is to ensure you have vaild doc's for the duration of that trip.

Imigration at the country concerned maybe another thing all together.

Depends on the person on the day, it really it does.

I can list quote from people saying they had no problems and other saying refused. Its russian roulette really.

All imigragration personal have the same type of training amd they will hear in that training that 6 months is required for all foreigners as per the guidelines.

Get a right stickler for small things or a newbe anywhere on route and.......

If you are legitimate and have the credentials to prove how long you stay and when you depart you maybe alble to test any arguments that arise but its a risk.

I see from your last post that you no longer have time for new passport there. So I wish you well and I hope you get the right attitude when you arrive. Then you too can post

"no worries mate"

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Very nice statistical data issued here.

But a little missleading I feel.

It would imply that 11 million people are actually using the 3g services.

When infact the data is just referring to the mount of people who have just subscribed for services.

I live in bangkok and have dtac service, it would seem only if I stand direct under telecommunications mast will I recieve 3g.

At home only 11 km for the city then I for sure dont have.

Does anyone here actually recieve 3g on gsm for any sustained time period??

Follow balloo's link and all info is there for you.

Just 1 thing take note on instructions how to get to the embassy. It can be quite ilusive to find if you have never been there.

Good thing about applying before in bangkok is that this embassy is quite empty most of the time. If you want to pay for the express service then 99% of the time you will be told to wait and you will recieve your visa in about 15/20mins.

As I always say if you have time to collect visa ahead of your travel then why not do so.

Air India is ok for sure. Jet Airways also offer these cheap deals too, but I do find Jet Airways service a little lack luster compared too Air India.

But given the price and if you have the time and dont mind the stopover then its all ok.

Most complants about indian airlines and airports generally are about the conditions there and your fellow indian passengers.

The fleet of aircraft sometimes look very worn as if they have seen 30 years of service. But In reality there are every few aircraft of this age.

The thing with indian transportation is it is well used and the volume of traffic it greatly enhances the wear and tear of the equipment. What looks very tired in india may only be 2 years old.

As for your fellow passengers.

Indians appear on the outside to be quite chaotic when travelling its just there way. With 1.3 bil population then im affraid its every man for himself / woman herself.

Airports are okay in general but as previous post says. Can be quite strict with the regulations.

They learn this off the british more than 60 years ago most things are still made in paper form and made out in triplicate.

If you have never been to india before or you never had any experience of Indians then you maybe in for a bit of a shock.

Best advise is just it all wash over you and remember that price of @ £500 you paid.

Really guys. Suwanaphum is not number 1 it just says it aspires to be number 1.

Was working in frankfurt about 18 months ago. Had to fly to brussels return.

Yes brussells the home if the EU now that is a crap airport infact it reminds me of suwanaphum in many many ways.

Nearly same lay out upstairs down stairs long long long walks to get to gate. No shops open till 10.30 am, underutilised and controlled by the government.

Thailand I can except this, but the home of the EU???

Then frankfurt airport well what a mess that is. Flight time BRU to FRA 35mins land on the new 3rd runway (3rd runway my arse it might as well be another airport) then i kid you not 20mins taxi time and in to a satalite parking position then bus to gate then 10 min walk to arrivals.

So all in all 35 min flight time and 45mins from landing to baggage reclaim.

Western management my arse they are just as inept as everywhere else. Just that they are better at hidding it.

@kkerry.

I totally agree with pretty much everything you say. It has improved from its early days. I first flew in from hat yai december 2006 air asia.

I was expecting something state of the art and super super efficient, I got a big shock.

However 6 nearly 7 years on it has improved dramatically. I think the real problem is with us westerners who in general hold the country way above its status as a developing country/market so at this level I guess it does not live up to our expectations.

However I here many thai ppl complain about the same things as we do. In general they hate the english spelling of the name and they think the building is ugly.

Anyhow you are correct in what you say and I would add that there are worse airports to fly in and out of including capital cities.

The thread is about AOT setting its sights as No 1 Airport in the future.

Thus really the only posts to read are the ones based upon experience's ppl have had at other airports within asia.

You cant and should not compare LHR for instance with BKK.

Posts just complaining for the sake of it try to ignore. Suwanaphum is not the worst in the region by a long shot. Its good to average.

AOT insistance to make it number 1 has been running since around 2010 and they still have a long way to go.

But as in my other posts they had a blank canvas from the start. They had the chance then to make it no 1 from the begining and failed.

Instead they concentrated on minor triumphs like the worlds tallest ATC tower (freestanding) and the largest open span terminal and the worlds largest maintenance engine run up area....

All these records are no or will be by year end dead and overtaken.

Lets see what the 2nd phase brings in 2016???

N°1 or not, I can think of worse places to be stuck in.

I flew into "LHR termal 5" 3 weeks after it opened. I might as well been arriving in DEL at 3am..... suwanaphum has never been that bad.

Well, the only time I go near the place is if one of my cheap flights goes there, my airport of Choice is Don Meung as I like Air Asia and the proximity to the railway station to Isaan is fine.  My only gripe is they stopped the online booking for the railway so I am now going to Fly in to Vientiane and go over the bridge and catch a bus.

 

On my way home this month and take the train to KL, it is a great trip and as a senior, I get half price in Malaysia, I like that.

You make another good idea for improvements here.

Yes indeed srt stopped online rail bookings back in January this year. I was hopping that I would start again. Its stopped in the past before and restarted again, so fingers crossed.

However the train tickets you can reserve by phone and collect from any station in theory.

But the problem is you have to collect within 24 hrs of reservation this is not convenient especially in peek season when you may be required to book days in advance to get a seat or sleeper car.

Why cant srt make sales at the airport??

Foreigners can pre book there tickets via email, phone, internet or just in person and just collect and pay at the airports.

Would be a welcomed addition to services at both airports.