over 1.5 hrs waiting at DM imm queue

[boomerangutang]

I had been traveling nearly 30 hrs, and was forced to stand for nearly 2 hrs.  the line was 2 to 3 people wide and snaked for over 100 meters.  I estimate one small step forward every 2 minutes.  Easily over 1,000 people waiting.  Some queue jumpers, as expected - particularly two small Asian women who jogged past everyone - while giggling - to the front.

No Thai officials to assist, except when one directed the entire rear 1/4 of the queue to go to newly opened kiosks.  You would think she'd direct the people who were waiting longest, ..but no, this is Thailand, so logic gets pissed out the back window.

Some suggestions:

>>> fire the top 5 people who are in charge of Imm/visas at DM.  Get people in charge who have at least half their brain working.

>>> get the Imm booths manned, instead (as happened the other night) manning only 1 out of 5 spaces.

>>> it's a reflection of the sub-standard education norms for Thailand - that there are relatively few English speakers graduating from Thai schools and universities.   I think a large reason there are so many vacancies in the Imm kiosks is there are so few Thais who can speak simple English, and who are willing to do an Imm job. 

 

In the same vein: the flight announcements at DM are:

>>>  spoken too fast.  When in English, they're indecipherable.  The announcers' pronunciation is awful.  Again, who hires these people?  It's like the school and U staff who hire English teachers.  Since the staff don't know English, they therefore don't know whether an applicant can speak it or not.

I once was seated next to a young man from France on a flight.  He said he already had a job at Chulagong U to teach English.  The only problem: he spoke horrible English.  The people who hire at Thai U's won't know, and won't care.  All they know is they have a handsome young European who claims to speak and teach English.  

 

All in all, I rate DM Airport an F for Immigration procedures, and and E for flight announcements.  

 

P.S.  One farang woman who had been in line just behind me, .....went through the long arduous waiting of nearly 2 hours, was about to miss her connecting flight, and just before getting to the kiosk, found out (from an official) that she was in the wrong line.   Ugh!     

[kannot]

the joy of  business   class

[boomerangutang]

17 minutes ago, kannot said:

the joy of  business   class

It's not clear how biz class or 1st class can avoid long queues.  Are there signs which direct the elite to shorter queues?  I didn't see any.   Are there signs at the airport which direct type-O 1-year visa holders (like me) to shorter queues than visa-on-arrival (which does have signs)?  No.  

 

Do you see how ill-managed things are at DM?   They need managers who can think and make things less bothersome for the thousands of weary travelers they get each day/night.   

[yankee99]

7 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

It's not clear how biz class or 1st class can avoid long queues.  Are there signs which direct the elite to shorter queues?  I didn't see any.   Are there signs at the airport which direct type-O 1-year visa holders (like me) to shorter queues than visa-on-arrival (which does have signs)?  No.  

 

Do you see how ill-managed things are at DM?   They need managers who can think and make things less bothersome for the thousands of weary travelers they get each day/night.   

Cant speak for DM but Suvarnabhumi has a fast lane for business class

[Fairynuff]

Doesn’t matter which airport the waiting times are obscene. Even the premium lanes are no longer fast track but just a bit faster. The only difference I find between the 2 airports are the IOs at DM tend to be a bit friendlier

[geriatrickid]

10 hours ago, kannot said:

the joy of  business   class

And when did  any of the 14 airlines  who use DMK add  business class? Are you aware that DMK is for domestic and LCC international carriers?

[4MyEgo]

I find being married to a Thai takes me through the (Thai's Only Lane), although a few months back I was in Phuket for a week without the Mrs and stood outside for an hour, and then an hour inside, absolutely appalling, and had to sort three separate que jumpers, its just not on !

[Gruff]

A month or so back 50 mins at DMK at 05.30. When i was just about there i looked back the queue had doubled and no sight of additional immigration staff. They must have had at least a 1 hr 30m wait.

[Fairynuff]

Doesn’t matter which airport the waiting times are obscene. Even the premium lanes are no longer fast track but just a bit faster. The only difference I find between the 2 airports are the IOs at DM tend to be a bit friendlier

[richard_smith237]

The Fast Track services appear more and more attractive with each new report covering the awful state of passenger management at the Airports. 

 

 

[Cadbury]

Carry a collapsible walking stick and order a wheelchair for disembarkation from the plane. Or pay the 1050 baht for the Bangkok Airport Limousine VIP meet & greet with immigration fast track service.

[Cadbury]

double post

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

Carry a collapsible walking stick and order a wheelchair for disembarkation from the plane. Or pay the 1050 baht for the Bangkok Airport Limousine VIP meet & greet with immigration fast track service.

 

For the past 13 years or so Thai Elite have escorted me through immigration, the service has pretty much paid for itself already... no worries getting through immigration each time (usually about 5 mins)...  but I do see the horrible immigration lines on the other side. There have been issues, complaints, news articles for a few years now - nothing seems to ever get any better....

 

In the simplest of terms, those in positions of decision-making power do not care. 

 

I'm looking forward to my next Airport visit and spotting all the ThaiVisa members with their collapsable walking sticks getting expedited wheel-chair access !...  bunch of sneaky buggers !!! 

[richard_smith237]

 

Are we soon to see the next 'cash-grab' where Thai Immigration suggests a 'processing' charge per passenger to cover the expense of additional immigration officers at the Airports.

 

We once had the 500 Baht Airport Departure Tax which was used to be paid in cash before the system was changed (not abolished) and that price was added to International Tickets. 

 

It wouldn't surprise me to see the departure system going backwards - what a little money spinner that would be. 

 

Medical Insurance charges upon entry. Additional service taxes on departure. 

 

[Bangkok Barry]

It isn't just immigration. This was the crowd, maybe 1000 or more, trying to check in last Wednesday. I'm glad I'll only be taking hand luggage when I leave there in May. Last time I used DM for an international flight, to Singapore, it took me over an hour to check in. In Singapore when I returned I went straight up to the desk. The Thais haven't got a clue what they are doing. As so often, children in adult bodies. It's sad in a way to see so many helpless people who are as likely as not to burst into tears if you challenge them. Or sulk like a five-year old.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Thailand love you long time... too mutt.....  Not want let you go! 

[DJ54]

BKK can be extremely crazy when a lot of passengers tourist from C

[Media1]

12 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

It's not clear how biz class or 1st class can avoid long queues.  Are there signs which direct the elite to shorter queues?  I didn't see any.   Are there signs at the airport which direct type-O 1-year visa holders (like me) to shorter queues than visa-on-arrival (which does have signs)?  No.  

 

Do you see how ill-managed things are at DM?   They need managers who can think and make things less bothersome for the thousands of weary travelers they get each day/night.   

YES it's a big laughable Thai mess ran by sofa staff

[terryofcrete]

12 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

It's not clear how biz class or 1st class can avoid long queues.  Are there signs which direct the elite to shorter queues?  I didn't see any.   Are there signs at the airport which direct type-O 1-year visa holders (like me) to shorter queues than visa-on-arrival (which does have signs)?  No.  

 

Do you see how ill-managed things are at DM?   They need managers who can think and make things less bothersome for the thousands of weary travelers they get each day/night.   

You get a special VIP card ... you go to a separate desk... 

[terryofcrete]

12 hours ago, kannot said:

the joy of  business   class

Very expensive way of skipping a queue... but you are correct. 

[boomerangutang]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The Fast Track services appear more and more attractive with each new report covering the awful state of passenger management at the Airports. 

See my post, below.  Thailand is encrusting itself in 3rd World Country status by emphasizing class differences.  Thailand should try to be a bit egalitarian, and treat all people decently, not only those who wear business suits and gold jewelry.   Most of the people who arrive at the 2 Bkk airports have been traveling for between 12 and 30 hours.  They're tired, unwashed, ......yet they're compelled to wait in ridiculously long slow-moving lines for between 1 and 3 hours.  Disgusting. 

 

1 hour ago, terryofcrete said:

You get a special VIP card ... you go to a separate desk... 

I don't like the concept of privilege.  Thailand is extremely stratified (social classes) already.  Adding elite services only exacerbates that.  It screams 3rd World Country!  Idi Amin, Bokassa and Gadhafi would love it.

 

Thai officials should treat all people decently, and not predicate treatment on a person's skin-color, how rich they appear, or how much they pay, or whether they have an Asian-looking woman alongside.  It's disgusting and all reasonable-minded people who see it (for most visitors to Thailand, it's their first impression) ....it's THIRD WORLD CORRUPT COUNTRY personified.

[likethesoup]

57 minutes ago, boomerangutang said:

See my post, below.  Thailand is encrusting itself in 3rd World Country status by emphasizing class differences.  Thailand should try to be a bit egalitarian, and treat all people decently, not only those who wear business suits and gold jewelry.   Most of the people who arrive at the 2 Bkk airports have been traveling for between 12 and 30 hours.  They're tired, unwashed, ......yet they're compelled to wait in ridiculously long slow-moving lines for between 1 and 3 hours.  Disgusting. 

 

I don't like the concept of privilege.  Thailand is extremely stratified (social classes) already.  Adding elite services only exacerbates that.  It screams 3rd World Country!  Idi Amin, Bokassa and Gadhafi would love it.

 

Thai officials should treat all people decently, and not predicate treatment on a person's skin-color, how rich they appear, or how much they pay, or whether they have an Asian-looking woman alongside.  It's disgusting and all reasonable-minded people who see it (for most visitors to Thailand, it's their first impression) ....it's THIRD WORLD CORRUPT COUNTRY personified.

 

Yawn...

I only travel in the Diplomatic / Priority immigration lines and I've never visited an international airport that lacks these...

From JFK to DXB, BKK to SIN... If you're wanted more you'll get into a country faster.

 

Period.

Thailand is NOT a third world country, and quite frankly, anyone who holds the Kingdom is such contempt should probably live somewhere else.

[boomerangutang]

1 hour ago, likethesoup said:

Yawn...
I only travel in the Diplomatic / Priority immigration lines and I've never visited an international airport that lacks these...
From JFK to DXB, BKK to SIN... If you're wanted more you'll get into a country faster.

Period.
Thailand is NOT a third world country, and quite frankly, anyone who holds the Kingdom is such contempt should probably live somewhere else.

We don't agree on both points.

A. It doesn't project a good image when Thailand has preferred treatment for some visitors, and thereby treats others like cattle.

B. In many ways, Thailand is a 3rd world country.  If that bothers you - to hear someone express that, tough tamale.

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

See my post, below.  Thailand is encrusting itself in 3rd World Country status by emphasizing class differences.  Thailand should try to be a bit egalitarian, and treat all people decently, not only those who wear business suits and gold jewelry.   Most of the people who arrive at the 2 Bkk airports have been traveling for between 12 and 30 hours.  They're tired, unwashed, ......yet they're compelled to wait in ridiculously long slow-moving lines for between 1 and 3 hours.  Disgusting. 

 

I don't like the concept of privilege.  Thailand is extremely stratified (social classes) already.  Adding elite services only exacerbates that.  It screams 3rd World Country!  Idi Amin, Bokassa and Gadhafi would love it.

 

Thai officials should treat all people decently, and not predicate treatment on a person's skin-color, how rich they appear, or how much they pay, or whether they have an Asian-looking woman alongside.  It's disgusting and all reasonable-minded people who see it (for most visitors to Thailand, it's their first impression) ....it's THIRD WORLD CORRUPT COUNTRY personified.

 

Thais are not able to link the dots so have absolutely no appreciation of the fact that passengers have spent all that time to come to their country and to spend, rather than be treated with indifference at best and contempt at worst - personified by the grim-faced immigration officers. Some airports - Beijing is one - have buttons to push to indicate how satisfied you are with your immigration experience. You need only one guess why Thailand doesn't have them.

[Sydebolle]

The Lord knows everything and the Thais even a little more. Instead of making use of their study trips to other airports in huge groups of 45+ Officials they rather go shopping and sightseeing. 
Take the TM6; absolute rubbish form and of no use to the immigration. There is not a single EU country with such forms simply because there is nobody paid nor interested in the processing. 
Most passports feature machine-readable lines; swipe it through and get instant green Tik of OK or a Red Cross for Not OK. Simultaneously take a picture and to please the American minority complex a fingerprint. Done in say 8 seconds and then the big stamp - job done! 

Give another example of overland crossing; I cross 20+ times a year into Laos. The Thais need, on leaving with a Thai-registered car a „Information on Conveyance“, a „Passenger List“ and a „Crew List“. My car has a „Call Sign“ (like aircraft or ships - which is the car plate). All this to be filled in with frame/chassis and engine number, driver details etc. 
The Lao side takes the ITP (International Transport Permit - giving all details in English), stamps it in, issued computerized a „Laissez-Passer“ and off you go. Thai departure takes at least 30 minutes, Lao arrival 2 minutes. So much to efficiency, ASEAN, AEC2015 and the difference between communism and a democratically run country by thousands and thousands of illiterate, hopelessly underutilized bureaucrats serving the Thai „service publique“. 

Travelers have the choice, in Luang Prabang you hardly get a room while Thai destinations are equally empty everywhere - go figure! 

[jacko45k]

13 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The Fast Track services appear more and more attractive with each new report covering the awful state of passenger management at the Airports. 

 

 

I have had 2 instances in 3 where Fast Track was particularly slow at BKK. Once on arrival they appeared to be letting  some Chinese groups use it, that looked to be an exercise in herding cats. The other was departing, where families with children where told to use Fast Track and the queue snaked back into departures.

To avoid worse I have avoided DMK.

 

[theguyfromanotherforum]

On 4/2/2018 at 5:10 AM, boomerangutang said:

All in all, I rate DM Airport an F for Immigration procedures, and and E for flight announcements. 

That's not bad ... 5 and 6 out of 26

 

[billy54]

It Seems nothing has changed since January , it took me 3.1/2 hours to check in and get through check points ,( the man who dealt with me in Immigration was nothing short of down right rude and ignorant , i watched him deal with other travellers  rudley , he had one lady in tears, as i approached i spoke to him in Thai politely , his reaction ,: i dont give a fck if you speak my language or not ") ,as i got through it all i should have been in the air , but as the check in has all the info for passengers who have checked in  they delayed the flight ,on the return ,i got through Immigration /customs and baggage collection in under 45 minutes ,Immigration officers very polite and helpful , but it was 4.30 am 

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, billy54 said:

It Seems nothing has changed since January , it took me 3.1/2 hours to check in and get through check points ,( the man who dealt with me in Immigration was nothing short of down right rude and ignorant , i watched him deal with other travellers  rudley , he had one lady in tears, as i approached i spoke to him in Thai politely , his reaction ,: i dont give a fck if you speak my language or not ") ,as i got through it all i should have been in the air , but as the check in has all the info for passengers who have checked in  they delayed the flight ,on the return ,i got through Immigration /customs and baggage collection in under 45 minutes ,Immigration officers very polite and helpful , but it was 4.30 am 

 

I just told my (Thai) wife about your 3 1/2 hour experience and said anyone who experiences that wouldn't come back. Her response was, "Good, I hope they don't come back." Sums it up really, doesn't it. Nobody gives a suck.

[boomerangutang]

A bit different scenario, but I was coming in to Thailand at Mae Sai Imm, from Burma, last month.  It was my turn next, and an Asian family wheedled their way in front of me - darting to the window, calling out questions.  I know Asians do that often, thinking that shouting questions at an official is an excuse for queue jumping (similar to leaving their emergency lights blinking on their cars will excuse their double parking).   

I made a mention to the Thai woman official - regarding a queue ('queue is a tap-sap, so it's a word Thais understand').  A male official, who I had not seen prior, came out to hassle me.  He said "You want go Thailand?!" to me in a threatening voice - insinuating that he could keep me from re-entering the country I reside in.   In as loud a voice, I called out to him (In Thai language), "Do you want problems?  I don't want problems."   He backed off.

 

A minute later, after getting rubber stamped, he popped out again, like a jack-in-the-box and said "I know you. You Trouble."   I countered, "Yes, I'm Trouble."  ....and sauntered past the plump little red-faced man.