So I'm going to Sweden after 21 years for operation.

Twice in 21 years but last time was 5 years ago.

My question is how early must I be in Swampy for my 0.20 AM flight. ( going from Pattaya)

Is the ASIAN VEGETARIAN HINDO MEAL (AVML) good? (Thai airway)

Love Indian food, 25 years ago all special meals were better than standard.

Edited August 15Aug 15 by PoorSucker

Check in online.

Three hours is ample. Two is still okay, but again, check in online before you leave home.

The last few years, I have been through check in and immigration in less than 30 minutes when I checked in online 24 hours before departure. Still, I am always at the airport at least three hours before my flight.

There was one time in February when there was a bit of chaos around check in, not only one airline but all of them, with long queues out into the hall outside their fencing. But it did not take too long, and if you are on time such events do not really carry much risk anyway.

Edited August 15Aug 15 by Hummin

Don't forget your re-entry permit if you're on an extension.

If you're not flying business, or at least checking in online, I'd show up 3 hours before wheels up, or you may end up with a middle seat.

Swampy is a great airport, with a lot to do. Arriving early is no great PITA like some airports.

Edit: If you do arrive too early (as I often do), don't be a mug and sit on the departure floor. It'll be a zoo. Go down one or two floors and you'll find lots to do and plenty of places to sit and relax and watch the cuties.

Edited August 15Aug 15 by impulse

6 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Don't forget your re-entry permit if you're on an extension.

I forgot it on my last return, and it was no problem to fill it in before immigration. Just a bit of hassle after a long flight. Now they have a new app which is supposed to make it easier.

Arrival card.

https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home

Informasjon about the app

https://www.tatnews.org/2026/06/thailand-immigration-management-application-introduced-to-streamline-foreign-traveller-registration/

Page for app

https://thim.in.th

9 minutes ago, impulse said:

If you're not flying business, or at least checking in online, I'd show up 3 hours before wheels up, or you may end up with a middle seat.

Swampy is a great airport, with a lot to do. Arriving early is no great PITA like some airports.

Most airlines have online check in 24 - 48 hours before departure, where you can confirm or choose your seat.

56 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I forgot it on my last return, and it was no problem to fill it in before immigration. Just a bit of hassle after a long flight. Now they have a new app which is supposed to make it easier.

arrival card.

https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home

Informasjon about the app

https://www.tatnews.org/2026/06/thailand-immigration-management-application-introduced-to-streamline-foreign-traveller-registration/

Page for app

https://thim.in.th

Arrival Card is not a Re-entry Permit.

15 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

Arrival Card is not a Re-entry Permit.

True, thank you

I read Arrival card, it happens

You can chose your seat on the THAI app when you make the booking. You can even change it before online check in opens which unfortunately is still 24-hours before departure.

I go back to the UK twice a year and sale through to the gate every time in no time......three hours is ample.

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

You can chose your seat on the THAI app when you make the booking. You can even change it before online check in opens which unfortunately is still 24-hours before departure.

Done that,

Thai airways seat selection is hard to understand.

All front seats selected but another icon for back seats, first I thought it was business class but not.

Selected isle seat with empty middle seat.

5 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

Done that,

Thai airways seat selection is hard to understand.

All front seats selected but another icon for back seats, first I thought it was business class but not.

Selected isle seat with empty middle seat.

If you are 70+, you can use the outbound Fast Track for security and immigration. The entry points are at opposite ends of the departures level.

You can also use it on your return.

Does anyone know for sure that Suvarnabhumi allows you to check in fast track for internationals at 70 with a child who is 9? Googling it it said it depends on them, so wondering if any have already tried it. I guess I could ask when I'm there to make sure.

Edited August 15Aug 15 by fredwiggy

28 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

If you are 70+, you can use the outbound Fast Track for security and immigration. The entry points are at opposite ends of the departures level.

You can also use it on your return.

Fast track is not available for arrivals based purely on age. That has moved to priority. I believe Fast Track for departures is still available though.

12 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Does anyone know for sure that Suvarnabhumi allows you to check in fast track for internationals at 70 with a child who is 9? Googling it it said it depends on them, so wondering if any have already tried it. I guess I could ask when I'm there to make sure.

Are you talking about arrivals, or departures?
Fast track is not available for arrivals if you are 70+, as that has been moved to priority lane near the Thai passport line. For departures, it's still eligible for fast track.

The answer for both though completely depends on the person at the door. They can say yes or they can say no. Generally an elderly person is allowed to have 1 person with them to give them assistance, so I don't think a 9 year old qualifies for that. But they still have the discretion to allow if they want.

5 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Are you talking about arrivals, or departures?
Fast track is not available for arrivals if you are 70+, as that has been moved to priority lane near the Thai passport line. For departures, it's still eligible for fast track.

The answer for both though completely depends on the person at the door. They can say yes or they can say no. Generally an elderly person is allowed to have 1 person with them to give them assistance, so I don't think a 9 year old qualifies for that. But they still have the discretion to allow if they want.

Departures, as we're going in November. That's what I was thinking also. Here it depends on the agents.No assistance needed but just want to get through faster as children get bored quick. Thanks for your reply.

Edited August 15Aug 15 by fredwiggy

41 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Fast track is not available for arrivals based purely on age. That has moved to priority. I believe Fast Track for departures is still available though.

Departure fast track for old geezers is still available as described earlier. Look for large, dark blue partitioning where THAI First Class check-in is/was on the east end, and similar dark blue zones on the west end where Thailand Post is/was.

As you mention elsewhere, the inbound fast track for fossils is shoehorned into the existing Thai passport lanes on the right-hand side of each of. the two main immigration halls. We can no longer use the small "Fast Track" lanes located between the two main immigration halls.

I hope the next time they revamp or reinvent or reshuffle the fast track/priority lanes, they use common signage for outbound and inbound.

On 8/15/2026 at 12:35 PM, PoorSucker said:

So I'm going to Sweden after 21 years for operation.

Twice in 21 years but last time was 5 years ago.

My question is how early must I be in Swampy for my 0.20 AM flight. ( going from Pattaya)

Is the ASIAN VEGETARIAN HINDO MEAL (AVML) good? (Thai airway)

Love Indian food, 25 years ago all special meals were better than standard.

On 8/15/2026 at 12:35 PM, PoorSucker said:

Is the ASIAN VEGETARIAN HINDO MEAL (AVML) good? (Thai airway).....Why YOU Worry about Petty things like that, Just Eat it !!

1 hour ago, Blueman1 said:

On 8/15/2026 at 12:35 PM, PoorSucker said:

So I'm going to Sweden after 21 years for operation.

On 8/15/2026 at 12:35 PM, PoorSucker said:

Is the ASIAN VEGETARIAN HINDO MEAL (AVML) good? (Thai airway).....Why YOU Worry about Petty things like that, Just Eat it !!

Because I can choose standard meal but like Indian food....

56 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

Because I can choose standard meal but like Indian food....

Well Fookin' Choose that & Enjoy it !!

1 hour ago, PoorSucker said:

Because I can choose standard meal but like Indian food....

Google it! According to them it should be something like this....

On 8/16/2026 at 5:46 AM, NanLaew said:

If you are 70+, you can use the outbound Fast Track for security and immigration. The entry points are at opposite ends of the departures level.

You can also use it on your return.

Yes. I didn't realize this and a few weeks ago my Thai spouse and I flew back from a China trip. There was a long line at Immigration but one of the Immigration officers minding the line saw me and motioned me to the Fast Track line. I was through it and at baggage claim before our bags had arrived.

1 hour ago, Blueman1 said:

Well Fookin' Choose that & Enjoy it !!

Do you have any other 'advice' to offer the OP?

2 hours ago, newnative said:

Yes. I didn't realize this and a few weeks ago my Thai spouse and I flew back from a China trip. There was a long line at Immigration but one of the Immigration officers minding the line saw me and motioned me to the Fast Track line. I was through it and at baggage claim before our bags had arrived.

Or just use the Thai line. I tag along with the bride every time.

35 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Or just use the Thai line. I tag along with the bride every time.

I wondered if that would work but never tried it.

On 8/15/2026 at 11:46 PM, NanLaew said:

If you are 70+, you can use the outbound Fast Track for security and immigration. The entry points are at opposite ends of the departures level.

The entrance at the west end of the terminal which was past the last row of check in desks has moved and is now much more central.

OK, airside now.

Checked in as disabled because of my limp in isle A18-A19

Got thorough fast track, just my following the rules and spoke Thai.