Suvarnabhumi Airport about to implement a faster passenger departure system

[2baht]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Why 8 counters for Thai tourists and only 2 for foreign tourists???

They will probably only man 3 counters! Thai's are superior beings.........in Thailand. 

[aussiexpat]

I don't get this at all. I usually have to go to aisle J or K to get boarding pass as they don't issue online. Now I have to go to another desk to do something else before going to immigration? How is that faster?

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

5 hours ago, 10baht said:

Oh yea, just like those people using their cell phones at MAKRO to check out. Really speeds things up.

Yep. Taking 10+ times longer to do things is called 'progress'. Handing over cash takes seconds but is too simple for the modern world.

Paying with the QR code at Makro is faster than paying with cash and waiting for change - unless of course you are a boomer, need your reading specks, didn’t have your phone ready etc, in which case you are the same sort of person who never has their wallet ready either. 

Boomers will find a way to complain about development and fail to recognise the improvement through the fog of their own bias. 

 

Departing through Suvarnabumi airport is a relative pleasure compared to the UK airports, arrival even more so.

 

The news presented in the article is confusing... its just a boarding pass scan to make sure those entering the secure area (through security into the Immigration queue) are supposed to be there. 

 

It’s an extra check point and one they have at most airports. In Thailand it was a always a person, now its a boarding pass and passport scanner - I’ve no idea why its even necessary when Immigration are going to check the Passport / Boarding pass anyway.

 

 

 

[overherebc]

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Paying with the QR code at Makro is faster than paying with cash and waiting for change - unless of course you are a boomer, need your reading specks, didn’t have your phone ready etc, in which case you are the same sort of person who never has their wallet ready either. 

Boomers will find a way to complain about development and fail to recognise the improvement through the fog of their own bias. 

 

Departing through Suvarnabumi airport is a relative pleasure compared to the UK airports, arrival even more so.

 

The news presented in the article is confusing... its just a boarding pass scan to make sure those entering the secure area (through security into the Immigration queue) are supposed to be there. 

 

It’s an extra check point and one they have at most airports. In Thailand it was a always a person, now its a boarding pass and passport scanner - I’ve no idea why its even necessary when Immigration are going to check the Passport / Boarding pass anyway.

 

 

 

Some IT 'specialist' woke up and said 'I have a good idea'

????

[PETERTHEEATER]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

.........and boost the airport’s security level to meet international standards.

OMG! This is an admission that airport safety is sub-standard.....????

[DrPhibes]

5 hours ago, ozz1 said:

Yes we have your money hurry back now

And refer a friend...

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

11 hours ago, webfact said:

.........and boost the airport’s security level to meet international standards.

OMG! This is an admission that airport safety is sub-standard.....????

Not really...  For years Suvarnabumi airport already has a ‘boarding pass / passport’ check to stop non-passengers entering the secure area - the only change is that there will also be automated gates for this. 

 

 

[WHansen]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Paying with the QR code at Makro is faster than paying with cash and waiting for change - unless of course you are a boomer, need your reading specks, didn’t have your phone ready etc, in which case you are the same sort of person who never has their wallet ready either. 

Boomers will find a way to complain about development and fail to recognise the improvement through the fog of their own bias. 

In the years people have trying to pay with their phones i have never once seen it done quickly, every time it's painful to watch

[aussiexpat]

5 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Not really...  For years Suvarnabumi airport already has a ‘boarding pass / passport’ check to stop non-passengers entering the secure area - the only change is that there will also be automated gates for this. 

 

Where does it say an automated gate? It says counters open in various aisles, with more desks for Thais than foreigners

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by aussiexpat

[10baht]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Paying with the QR code at Makro is faster than paying with cash and waiting for change

Really, You've studied this? I can only tell you anecdotely  that they Thais with QR codes are always slower. Facts are facts. I do agree if the Thai buyer has lots of small bills and the cashier has to count a lot of them, it is slower. But that's rare compared to the QR challenged crowd.

And what Thai Boomers are you disrespecting? 

[10baht]

7 hours ago, Tropposurfer said:

As an Elite member I am met and escorted directly to IO/Customs without ever queueing both on entry and exiting LOS.

How do you arrange to be met ?

[richard_smith237]

13 minutes ago, 10baht said:

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Paying with the QR code at Makro is faster than paying with cash and waiting for change

Really, You've studied this? I can only tell you anecdotely  that they Thais with QR codes are always slower. Facts are facts.

Facts are facts ????... You have no facts, just anecdote, as do I. 

 

I often pay with QR code, my friends pay with QR code, we do so at the restaurant, pub, supermarket. 

The reason we do so is that its simpler and quicker. 

 

Now... IF some people are slower, those same people are probably slower at a lot of other things because they are less familiar with the technology.

 

13 minutes ago, 10baht said:

 

I do agree if the Thai buyer has lots of small bills and the cashier has to count a lot of them, it is slower. But that's rare compared to the QR challenged crowd.

And what Thai Boomers are you disrespecting? 

 

Then you have people who are for whatever reasons looking become upset at change and look for any issue to confirm their bias.

 

QR payment is quicker for those who use it frequently and are organised and prepared - mostly young people familiar with the tech: Its point camera, scan, hit confirm, done.

 

But..  it is slower if someone is inefficient or not so familiar with the tech...  If they are going wait until the cashier has finished ringing everything up, then dig their phone out of their pockets, then open the app, then put in their code (or use face ID), then select payment, then select payment by QR code etc....  

Some people are just inefficient...   And its the boomer’s who complain about this stuff....  the older generation who struggle with, dislike and do not see the ‘point in change’... we’ve seen some of this ‘boomer attitude’ in this thread so far. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

55 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Not really...  For years Suvarnabumi airport already has a ‘boarding pass / passport’ check to stop non-passengers entering the secure area - the only change is that there will also be automated gates for this. 

 

 

Yes, I understand. My comment was a dig at the reporting.

 

[richard_smith237]

52 minutes ago, WHansen said:

In the years people have trying to pay with their phones i have never once seen it done quickly, every time it's painful to watch

You've never once seem the bill rung up.. and someone is ready with their phone to point and pay???... 

hmmm... never... hmm...  sounds like BS argumentative confirmation bias to me... 

 

The issues you describe are with people who are just slow at everything... 

These same people get home, then start looking for their keys in their bag.

These same people get to their car, then start looking for their keys. 

These same people wait at the check out, then start looking for their purse or wallet after the cashier has told them how much... 

 

These same characters consume time everywhere they go no matter what payment option they would choose - I agree that because of their unfamiliarity with the QR system they are slower... 

 

But the QR payment is not slower for me and many of my friends who use it because we are not bumbling fools...  we know there is about to be a QR code that we need to scan...   its simple and quick when you are used to it.

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, aussiexpat said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Not really...  For years Suvarnabumi airport already has a ‘boarding pass / passport’ check to stop non-passengers entering the secure area - the only change is that there will also be automated gates for this. 

 

Where does it say an automated gate? It says counters open in various aisles, with more desks for Thais than foreigners

 

erm.... 

If the photo of an ‘automatic gate’ wasn’t enough of a giveaway... there is also the article itself.... 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

51 minutes ago, 10baht said:

How do you arrange to be met ?

IF you are a member of Thailand Elite (which comes with a visa....  600,000 baht for 5 years up to 2 Million Baht for 20 years).....   you will arrange for your arrival service and onward AOT transfer via phone or e-mail to the Thai Elite Member Service contact centre.

[StevieAus]

8 hours ago, mikebell said:

I accept that I am guilty of Thai bashing on topics to do with police & dogs but I have nothing but praise for BKK.  My trip to UK & back was marred only by the service I received on Finnair and the sh1thole that is Manchester airport.  I reckon it took under ten minutes to be browsing King Power's monopoly on the outward journey.  As a senior I merely mentioned my age to an official to be escorted to a priority lane on the inward journey.

I certainly agree with you about Manchester airport and think you are being too polite

Went through return in June

Appalling service fellow passenger waited over two hours for wheel chair assistance while staff sat on wheel chairs playing with their phones

When  my flight arrived  the aero bridge wouldn’t engage

Passengers were left on the plane for an hour

Airline staff told me the airport people refused to move the aircraft to one of the many vacant gates

I observed ground staff bring three different sets of stairs before they had one that worked.

I will not bore you with the attitude of the security staff

Service in Doha and Bangkok excellent

[geisha]

I don’t think I’ve ever had delays on departing. Arrivals yes, come in on business or first, very quick, then you wait an hour on the belt for your suitcase!!!!!! 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, geisha said:

I don’t think I’ve ever had delays on departing. Arrivals yes, come in on business or first, very quick, then you wait an hour on the belt for your suitcase!!!!!! 

There used to be a lot of complaints about the immigration queues on arrival - it was a major issue... some stood in immigration for over and hour....   a pretty horrible experience. 

 

But...  nothing to the delays and immigration queues departing some UK airports in the summer... 

....those security lines are utterly horrific and made all the worse as people are attempting travel with only carry-on luggage to avoid baggage fees.

 

Airlines need to stop this ‘baggage fee’ and allow passengers check-in baggage just so easing of the travel through the airport is easier...  

 

 

Nearly all of the time departing and arriving in Suvarnabumi is simple and hassle free... 

I’m travelling through BKK about 16 times per year....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[10baht]

15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

IF you are a member of Thailand Elite (which comes with a visa....  600,000 baht for 5 years up to 2 Million Baht for 20 years).....   you will arrange for your arrival service and onward AOT transfer via phone or e-mail to the Thai Elite Member Service contact centre.

Thank you

[geisha]

17 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

There used to be a lot of complaints about the immigration queues on arrival - it was a major issue... some stood in immigration for over and hour....   a pretty horrible experience. 

 

But...  nothing to the delays and immigration queues departing some UK airports in the summer... 

....those security lines are utterly horrific and made all the worse as people are attempting travel with only carry-on luggage to avoid baggage fees.

 

Airlines need to stop this ‘baggage fee’ and allow passengers check-in baggage just so easing of the travel through the airport is easier...  

 

 

Nearly all of the time departing and arriving in Suvarnabumi is simple and hassle free... 

I’m travelling through BKK about 16 times per year....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agree with you. But as I said, I get through BKK immigration in 5 mins on business flight, only to waste an hour waiting for my suitcase at the belt ! No getting away from that if you have more than hand luggage. Of course if you are on business/ work, and have only a small carry on then you don’t  have this problem. Luckily I don’t go to the UK often. 

[geisha]

When younger with less money I used to pay for fast track , and my niece that came to BKK 3 years ago also had this service which was great. I suppose it’s been discontinued since Covid ?
or still possible?

[khunjeff]

On 8/29/2022 at 4:57 AM, richard_smith237 said:

 

erm.... 

If the photo of an ‘automatic gate’ wasn’t enough of a giveaway... there is also the article itself.... 

 

 

1) Those gates were installed months ago (though still unused), but only at the domestic departure area. Putting them at the entrance to international departure security would involve a major construction project, if it were possible at all.

 

2) The article refers repeatedly to "counters" in various check-in zones.

 

4 hours ago, geisha said:

When younger with less money I used to pay for fast track , and my niece that came to BKK 3 years ago also had this service which was great. I suppose it’s been discontinued since Covid ?
or still possible?

The selling of fast track access was so corrupt that Big Joke did away with the coupon system entirely when he was in charge of immigration. To use those lanes now, you have to show a premium class boarding pass, evidence that you're over 70, a diplomatic passport, or whatever - there are no more vouchers. Someone may have figured out a way to sell access nonetheless, but it's not as straightforward as it used to be. 

[The Hammer2021]

Good news but the real bottleneck for me is London Heathrow. To call Heathrow 3rd World is an insult to the developing world

[josephbloggs]

5 hours ago, geisha said:

Agree with you. But as I said, I get through BKK immigration in 5 mins on business flight, only to waste an hour waiting for my suitcase at the belt ! No getting away from that if you have more than hand luggage. Of course if you are on business/ work, and have only a small carry on then you don’t  have this problem. Luckily I don’t go to the UK often. 

I have flown in out out of here dozens of times - usually at least once a month - in various classes and I have never once had to wait an hour for my bag at the carousel.  Not even close.

[BKKTRAVELER]

Their real focus should be about arriving to Thailand. Between rogue agents asking people why they come back and questioning foreigners for hours (in a special room or otherwise) and incompetent young IOs, things will take 30 to 90 minutes again to pass immigration and customs when things get busier.

 

I have never experienced that in the past in other Asian countries, where immigration was always fast and polite. And I used to travel a lot, to many places and often.

 

Fun story. One of my long time friends came here last week. He came twice before, in 2009 and 2012. Less than a month each time. He had a new passport made in 2018. They (female IO) questioned him for 20 minutes upon his arrival this time even though he had a flight within 16 days back home and 2 printed hotels bookings for the whole time. She let him in eventually but he was shocked as if he was a criminal or something. We had drinks later on and he relaxed but still kept saying he had never been treated like this, ever. I really don't know what triggered the IO to do that.

[Sydebolle]

I am really surprised, that they get absolutely everything wrong here in the Land of the Semi-Divine. 

For crying out loud, why not having a look, how others - more professional countries which arrived in the 21st century quite some time already - handle the issue. My family name includes an "umlaut" being an Ö which is shown as an Ö in my passport. Internationally the Ö becomes an OE and at every second screening (and there are more than enough of those at Swampy) the screening officer calls the supervisor to get the approval to let me pass. My wife's Thai passport omitted the OE in lieu of the Ö. After having created even more confusion if checked just one after the other, we let a few passenger pass through those safety nets of aviation between both of us. As I have a middle name, not used by me and hence not shown on boarding passes, confuses those security "experts" even more. 

 

Having two "dirty farang" and eight counters for the semi-divines explains it all. I am sure that those scanners come at a price per unit for which you could erect half an airport somewhere else on the planet. 

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

I am really surprised, that they get absolutely everything wrong here in the Land of the Semi-Divine. 

For crying out loud, why not having a look, how others - more professional countries which arrived in the 21st century quite some time already - handle the issue. My family name includes an "umlaut" being an Ö which is shown as an Ö in my passport. Internationally the Ö becomes an OE and at every second screening (and there are more than enough of those at Swampy) the screening officer calls the supervisor to get the approval to let me pass. My wife's Thai passport omitted the OE in lieu of the Ö. After having created even more confusion if checked just one after the other, we let a few passenger pass through those safety nets of aviation between both of us. As I have a middle name, not used by me and hence not shown on boarding passes, confuses those security "experts" even more. 

 

Having two "dirty farang" and eight counters for the semi-divines explains it all. I am sure that those scanners come at a price per unit for which you could erect half an airport somewhere else on the planet. 

A bit over the top with your boring "dirty farang" and "semi divine" nonsense.

So you are taking umbrage from a poorly written confusing article and reading in to that that Thailand is going backwards because you have an umlaut in your name.  Righty ho.

They have these devices in Singapore and lots of airports now.  

Edited August 31, 2022 by josephbloggs

[richard_smith237]

12 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

For crying out loud, why not having a look, how others - more professional

erm.... in your comical also somewhat pathetic tirade you have completely missed the point that many international hubs do indeed have these very automated check points where people have to scan their boarding passes before entering the secure area. 

[RobU]

According to Emirates FAQ's there is only 1 Terminal at Swampy Airport but there are 7 concourses (ABCDEFG) within that terminal.

There is no such place as Terminal 4 this article is extremely confusing and seems to be someones flight of fancy. ('Flight of Fancy'....... Geddit, I'm so witty innit)