Fast Track Arrivals and Departure

[JaniceE]

Hi I believe over 70,s can use a priority lane? If so can my hubby who is not yet 70 accompany me ...thx very much in advaance

[bender92]

Yes you can both go. IM NOT 70 but i used that line with a retirement visa.

[scorecard]

I am 74, last time I went out at Swampy (about 1 year ago) I went to the normal passport entrance door, the young lady was checking some passport details, she quickly said to her colleagues 'elderly', took my arm and took me to the 'elderly' door' about 10 steps away and took me to the small line, passport stamped within 2 minutes, and very friendly.

[blackcab]

Moved to the Suvarnabhumi Forum.

[Proboscis]

1 hour ago, bender92 said:

Yes you can both go. IM NOT 70 but i used that line with a retirement visa.

I think the actual rule might be 72. But folks with mobility issues can use it too.

[KhunBENQ]

18 minutes ago, Proboscis said:

I think the actual rule might be 72. But folks with mobility issues can use it too.

I tried to find some kind of reference to no avail.

But 70 years is what you find on many sites.

I thought I had seen a sign at the airport and taken a picture.

But no, can't find.

[fleur3]

as far as i remember the age is 70.Is written on a board next to the entrance. just google :" picture prioritylane" and you will find it confirmed

[Gillyflower]

I went through two months ago.  There is a big sign saying who can use it.  Because there were only three people there, one of the officials had taken youngsters from the regular lines, but when I arrived, she made them step back for me to go before them.  There were two wheelchairs

with escorts.

[fvw53]

Suvarnabhumi airport is friendly for elderly people because they are allowed to use "Fast Lane" at departure and at arrival.

I am 75 and I am in good health (for my age) except that I cannot stand more than 10 minutes without pain...

Three months ago I had a very bad surprise after arrival (for the first time since 2005) in the glorious airport of Singapore ....no fast lane for elderly people upon arrival...I should have asked for a wheelchair but I am too shy to do so because I can walk normally.

[NanLaew]

Oh good! A fresh 'fast track' thread.

 

Now we can get into the nitty gritty of exactly where this lane is, what is the proper name for it based on the signage currently in use and who can use it.

 

I will start with the old Priority Lane that is currently called the Premium Lane and now has 'Fast Track' painted on the floor which is located mid-way between the two main immigration halls and is for 'front of the bus' passengers, APEC, other with elevated status and to 70's and up crowd.

 

THAI recently changed their Business Class 'fast track' to somewhere else. There was also a 'Fast Track' for families, invalids and various others that was notionally only available in only one of the two immigration halls. It was off to the left as you come up the ramp and I had frequently used this as a long-stay visa holder (retirement extension holder) because a senior IO said I could. A few months later, another, more senior IO said I couldn't.

 

To avoid any confusion I just order a wheelchair. That seems to find the fast track or whatever it's called, wherever it is.

[heybuz]

Yes

[cnx355]

1 hour ago, Proboscis said:

I think the actual rule might be 72. But folks with mobility issues can use it too.

Well, it is written 70 on the posted sign!

[PerkinsCuthbert]

This thread from August last year has some pix and useful information on the subject:

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1051486-immigration-priority-lane-bkk/

 

[superal]

I know the over 70s immigration lane on arrivals i.e. top of the blue carpeted slope to the right but not aware of departures fast track over 70s where you go up the elevator , then through security and then back down another elevator to multi lanes of normally huge queues  . Had to speak to a supervisor once as I think I would have missed my flight because of the log jam ( started upstairs in security )  and she took me to the front 

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, Proboscis said:

I think the actual rule might be 72. But folks with mobility issues can use it too.

I just can imagine they would split the couple up. 

[scorecard]

7 minutes ago, superal said:

I know the over 70s immigration lane on arrivals i.e. top of the blue carpeted slope to the right but not aware of departures fast track over 70s where you go up the elevator , then through security and then back down another elevator to multi lanes of normally huge queues  . Had to speak to a supervisor once as I think I would have missed my flight because of the log jam ( started upstairs in security )  and she took me to the front 

The elderly line / door I used was nothing like that, on the main departures level, towards the right hand side, through a door, on a very small queue within 5 or 6 steps, all done 5 minutes. 

[dotpoom]

3 hours ago, bender92 said:

Yes you can both go. IM NOT 70 but i used that line with a retirement visa.

Bit of a difference between 70 and 50?

[gamini]

4 hours ago, fvw53 said:

Suvarnabhumi airport is friendly for elderly people because they are allowed to use "Fast Lane" at departure and at arrival.

I am 75 and I am in good health (for my age) except that I cannot stand more than 10 minutes without pain...

Three months ago I had a very bad surprise after arrival (for the first time since 2005) in the glorious airport of Singapore ....no fast lane for elderly people upon arrival...I should have asked for a wheelchair but I am too shy to do so because I can walk normally.

I lived in Singapore for many years. They are much nicer to elder people in Thailand, especially at the airport. I'm in a wheelchair now and Thai people are so nice and helpful. Much better than most countries except Australia and New Zealand. .There elderly people have a lot of privileges. 

 

[NanLaew]

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

The elderly line / door I used was nothing like that, on the main departures level, towards the right hand side, through a door, on a very small queue within 5 or 6 steps, all done 5 minutes. 

On departure, 70's and up use either one of 2 Priority Lanes that avoids going up and down through security as they have security on the same level as check-in and immigration. One of them looks like this.

 

 

They are located underneath or near the foot of the escalators.

 

 

[Lacessit]

I used it in December. Very convenient, much better than standing in the cattle queue. Right hand side.

[scorecard]

24 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

On departure, 70's and up use either one of 2 Priority Lanes that avoids going up and down through security as they have security on the same level as check-in and immigration. One of them looks like this.

 

 

They are located underneath or near the foot of the escalators.

 

 

That's the door I was taken to.

[LeoTex]

8 hours ago, Proboscis said:

I think the actual rule might be 72. But folks with mobility issues can use it too.

The sign at the Priority exit lane at the airport states 70.

 

LeoTex

[dapperdan]

If you are 70 you are entitled to use it. If you are less than 70 with retirement visa or with a friend who's 70 you should not be allowed to use it and rightfully turned away to the regular immigration line.

[PAWNEESE]

Wow  .. I can use the Priority Lane at 70. I got something to look forward to now.  

[jaf3]

21 hours ago, scorecard said:

I just can imagine they would split the couple up. 

I have traveled with a disabled friend before - 5 people in the group but only one disabled and they let us all use the Priority arrival lane 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, jaf3 said:

I have traveled with a disabled friend before - 5 people in the group but only one disabled and they let us all use the Priority arrival lane 

My apology, there is a typing error (my error) in my earlier post:

 

I meant to say:

I just can't imagine they would split the couple up.

 

Apologies.

 

 

 

 

 

[sungod]

I noticed this morning that Bangkok Airways no longer hand out fast track cards to their premier members unless they are travelling in business, they say it's immigration who stipulate this? Anyone know if Thai gold card holders travelling in economy face the same rules?

[jomtien99]

The news about the Premium lane is that it is going to be revamped and run by VFS (the visa people), they will redesign it, not sure about adding extra lanes and taking some lanes from the standard immigration counters, and charge the airlines (who actually pay for the service) a lot more. So it could be that airlines are no longer as generous to hand out specially printed Fast Track cards to all Biz and First class travelers. This may also affect other persons including older than 70s.

I hear this is near being formalized between the parties involved and maybe in effect quite soon.

[keemapoot]

11 hours ago, sungod said:

I noticed this morning that Bangkok Airways no longer hand out fast track cards to their premier members unless they are travelling in business, they say it's immigration who stipulate this? Anyone know if Thai gold card holders travelling in economy face the same rules?

That's nasty news. For short flights there's no reason for business class, but as premier member that was a nice perk. I went through a few months ago with no problem, did you actually depart on an international flight with Bangkok Airways, and are premier member, and they did not give you a card?

[sungod]

Yes to all above, premier member on Bangkok Airways international flight. I was told 'sorry no fast track card, you need to be business or above.' 

 

I since ( my post earlier) sent an email to flyer bonus, this was their reply;

 

First of all, we would like to express our sincere apologies for this inconvenience.  Kindly allow us to clarify this regulation, officially announced by Airport of Thailand (AOT). Currently, the new Fast Track (Premium Lane) at Suvarnnabhumi Airport on international flights will be solely provided for Business class passengers. Since this regulation announced by Airport of Thailand (AOT), our airline must follow the instruction strictly. We humbly request for your kind understand and please accept our deeply regret for this situation.