Unacceptably Long Lines At Immigration!

[samran]

What is the world coming to??

Upon leaving Thailand via the royal orchid first and business class area there were SIX people in front of me.

SIX people. I had to wait FIVE minutes. This is clearly unacceptable.

WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO???

Have a great Christmas break all. See you in the new years.

[Crossy]

Did they serve you drinks whilst you "queued" on the comfy seats?

I've never managed to queue for long enough at business check in to get a drink, need to try harder

Enjoy your christmas, I will definately enjoy mine (I won't be in India)

[samran]

Did they serve you drinks whilst you "queued" on the comfy seats?

I've never managed to queue for long enough at business check in to get a drink, need to try harder

Enjoy your christmas, I will definately enjoy mine (I won't be in India)

Dammit!!

you mean I got RIPPED OFF by not getting served a drink? Must be an official SCAM of come sort against all luuk-krungs and Indian based farangs?

Thanks crossy. Holiday starts now. Am sitting in Auckland airport waiting for a connecting flight. Luckily, they have beers here for me.

[Crossy]

Did they serve you drinks whilst you "queued" on the comfy seats?

I've never managed to queue for long enough at business check in to get a drink, need to try harder

Enjoy your christmas, I will definately enjoy mine (I won't be in India)

Dammit!!

you mean I got RIPPED OFF by not getting served a drink? Must be an official SCAM of come sort against all luuk-krungs and Indian based farangs?

Thanks crossy. Holiday starts now. Am sitting in Auckland airport waiting for a connecting flight. Luckily, they have beers here for me.

I wonder what the Thai 'lounge' is like at Bangalore 'International' Airport, if Mumbai is anything to go by I'll be getting thirsty

[samran]

mumbai and delhi airports....shudder.

[Crossy]

mumbai and delhi airports....shudder.

Mumbai domestic is good, free WiFi all over, beer is expensive though @ 500 Rupees for a small Kingfisher.

Fly Kingfisher Airlines and every seat in economy has LIVE satellite TV, ideal for keeping tabs on the cricket

[Prakanong]

Did they serve you drinks whilst you "queued" on the comfy seats?

I've never managed to queue for long enough at business check in to get a drink, need to try harder

Enjoy your christmas, I will definately enjoy mine (I won't be in India)

Dammit!!

you mean I got RIPPED OFF by not getting served a drink? Must be an official SCAM of come sort against all luuk-krungs and Indian based farangs?

Thanks crossy. Holiday starts now. Am sitting in Auckland airport waiting for a connecting flight. Luckily, they have beers here for me.

I wonder what the Thai 'lounge' is like at Bangalore 'International' Airport, if Mumbai is anything to go by I'll be getting thirsty

I have been in the lounge at Bangalore last March but can not remember what it was like - I think its a Star Alliance shared one - I was travelling SIA and my pal TG

[sbk]

What is the world coming to??

Upon leaving Thailand via the royal orchid first and business class area there were SIX people in front of me.

SIX people. I had to wait FIVE minutes. This is clearly unacceptable.

WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO???

Have a great Christmas break all. See you in the new years.

Whinger! If you don't like it you should just go home.....

Oh wait, right, I forgot, you are Thai. You are home.

Never mind

[wanderer9020]

ohh, is this the feeling when you fly first class? making the immigration officer as your personal buttler, so that u will not waste 5 minutes queing?ROP should consider this option..

[bendix]

Sorry to hear the appallingly long wait you had Samran. I flew in from Manila on fridayand used my Apec card for the first time. What a breeze ;-)

Then, leaving Bkk airport on Saturday, I was going though immigration departures. Big queues for all the plebs, but noone in the diplomatic / APEC line. Ahhhh . the best $150 I ever spent.

[legag]

Waited 5 minutes!! Life is so cruel huh

[Prakanong]

Sorry to hear the appallingly long wait you had Samran. I flew in from Manila on fridayand used my Apec card for the first time. What a breeze ;-)

Then, leaving Bkk airport on Saturday, I was going though immigration departures. Big queues for all the plebs, but noone in the diplomatic / APEC line. Ahhhh . the best $150 I ever spent.

If not a citizen of the countries you have to be PR for one of those do you not?

[Crossy]

Sorry to hear the appallingly long wait you had Samran. I flew in from Manila on fridayand used my Apec card for the first time. What a breeze ;-)

Then, leaving Bkk airport on Saturday, I was going though immigration departures. Big queues for all the plebs, but noone in the diplomatic / APEC line. Ahhhh . the best $150 I ever spent.

If not a citizen of the countries you have to be PR for one of those do you not?

Unfortunately yes, and the UK is somewhat outside the APEC region

[Prakanong]

Sorry to hear the appallingly long wait you had Samran. I flew in from Manila on fridayand used my Apec card for the first time. What a breeze ;-)

Then, leaving Bkk airport on Saturday, I was going though immigration departures. Big queues for all the plebs, but noone in the diplomatic / APEC line. Ahhhh . the best $150 I ever spent.

If not a citizen of the countries you have to be PR for one of those do you not?

Unfortunately yes, and the UK is somewhat outside the APEC region

A lot of people in my office have been talking about them but have done nothing - it would be well worth it for the Burmese guy, Chinese and others who still have to apply for visa's in a lot of places.

I am pretty sure there is a UK guy with one downstairs and thats why I thought PR gets you one too. PR is much easier to get in Singapore than Thailand

[lomatopo]

I haven't heard a lot of complaints re: long Immigration wait times leaving Thailand. With ~ 20 exits from the new airport I don't think I ever waited more than 2 minutes. I've certainly never had more than five people in front of me.

TG does take care of their Royal Silk and Royal First passengers. However, the OP should be aware that Royal Silk (business class) passengers cannot use the Fast Track (Diplomatic/VIP) booths when returning to Thailand. Royal First customers still get the golf cart ride from the arrival gate and use of the Fast Track booths.

I departed BKK on TG first class a few weeks ago and there was no line for Immigration, was taken to a small desk/office area. Then a golf cart ride to the FC lounge, the Spa is quite nice. Upon my return it was 7 minutes from jet-way to baggage claim (greeting at jet-way, gate C-7, - - there must have been some VIP on my flight as there were easily 5 TV/camera crews waiting at the jet-way - golf cart to Immigration, TG host walks you to Immigration desk, then to baggage carousel) bags came out within 3 minutes, then out to taxi.

[bendix]

A lot of people in my office have been talking about them but have done nothing - it would be well worth it for the Burmese guy, Chinese and others who still have to apply for visa's in a lot of places.

I am pretty sure there is a UK guy with one downstairs and thats why I thought PR gets you one too. PR is much easier to get in Singapore than Thailand

It's only available to citizens of APEC countries so i doubt if the UK guy has one - perhaps something similar, but not APEC for sure. It's certainly not available for PRs. Also, Myanmar isnt APEC so they wouldnt get one.

[lomatopo]

I haven't heard a lot of complaints re: long Immigration wait times leaving Thailand. With ~ 20 exits from the new airport I don't think I ever waited more than 2 minutes. I've certainly never had more than five people in front of me.

TG does take care of their Royal Silk and Royal First passengers. However, the OP should be aware that Royal Silk (business class) passengers cannot use the Fast Track (Diplomatic/VIP) booths when returning to Thailand. Royal First customers still get the golf cart ride from the arrival gate and use of the Fast Track booths.

I departed BKK on TG first class a few weeks ago and there was no line for Immigration, was taken to a small desk/office area. Then a golf cart ride to the FC lounge, the Spa is quite nice. Upon my return it was 7 minutes from jet-way to baggage claim (greeting at jet-way, gate C-7, - - there must have been some VIP on my flight as there were easily 5 TV/camera crews waiting at the jet-way - golf cart to Immigration, TG host walks you to Immigration desk, then to baggage carousel) bags came out within 3 minutes, then out to taxi.

[Crossy]

- golf cart to Immigration, TG host walks you to Immigration desk, then to baggage carousel) bags came out within 3 minutes, then out to taxi.

Wot, no TG Limo? :(

[legag]

I haven't heard a lot of complaints re: long Immigration wait times leaving Thailand. With ~ 20 exits from the new airport I don't think I ever waited more than 2 minutes. I've certainly never had more than five people in front of me.

TG does take care of their Royal Silk and Royal First passengers. However, the OP should be aware that Royal Silk (business class) passengers cannot use the Fast Track (Diplomatic/VIP) booths when returning to Thailand. Royal First customers still get the golf cart ride from the arrival gate and use of the Fast Track booths.

Yes yes yes.

I have never waited more a few minutes leaving Thailand.

[tw25rw]

What is the world coming to??

Upon leaving Thailand via the royal orchid first and business class area there were SIX people in front of me.

SIX people. I had to wait FIVE minutes. This is clearly unacceptable.

WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO???

Have a great Christmas break all. See you in the new years.

Did your luggage come off last?

[Crossy]

What is the world coming to??

Upon leaving Thailand via the royal orchid first and business class area there were SIX people in front of me.

SIX people. I had to wait FIVE minutes. This is clearly unacceptable.

WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO???

Have a great Christmas break all. See you in the new years.

Did your luggage come off last?

Nah, it will have been first on the carousel, in HEATHROW

[dr_Pat_Pong]

What is the world coming to??

Upon leaving Thailand via the royal orchid first and business class area there were SIX people in front of me.

SIX people. I had to wait FIVE minutes. This is clearly unacceptable.

WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO???

Have a great Christmas break all. See you in the new years.

It is all go at the top.

[lomatopo]

- golf cart to Immigration, TG host walks you to Immigration desk, then to baggage carousel) bags came out within 3 minutes, then out to taxi.

Wot, no TG Limo? :(

Unfortunately TG discontinued the complimentary limo transfer service for Royal First customers when they moved to the new airport. They had a nice fleet of Mercedes and wonderful drivers. This was a very nice benefit, and many miss it.

[mike_rad]

Fly Kingfisher Airlines and every seat in economy has LIVE satellite TV, ideal for keeping tabs on the cricket

I'll second that. Recently flew BOM-Madras with them, Rs.2950, a steal, and as you say, excellent inflight service, incl. meal and (non-alcho) drinks.

Speaking of cricket, the recent India-Pak series was a good one. India are in good from and the tour of Aus should be entertaining. Pity it won't be on Thai cable...

---

[bendix]

However threads like this only serve to lessen the real problems and bad experiences people have with Immigration services at the new airport and childishly mock those with real grievances.

What 'real problems and bad experiences with Immigration' would those be? Could you elaborate?

[PhilHarries]

However threads like this only serve to lessen the real problems and bad experiences people have with Immigration services at the new airport and childishly mock those with real grievances.

What 'real problems and bad experiences with Immigration' would those be? Could you elaborate?

I think what he saying is that positive threads like this tend to balance out the impression of the new airport and counter the usual whinge threads.

The majority of my encounters have been good and the place functions well, but I still don't much like the building but that's not why I go there.

[david96]

However threads like this only serve to lessen the real problems and bad experiences people have with Immigration services at the new airport and childishly mock those with real grievances.

What 'real problems and bad experiences with Immigration' would those be? Could you elaborate?

I think what he saying is that positive threads like this tend to balance out the impression of the new airport and counter the usual whinge threads.

The majority of my encounters have been good and the place functions well, but I still don't much like the building but that's not why I go there.

I think you will find that the problems are not with Thai Immigration but with the passenger whose documentation is not in order.

[PhilHarries]

However threads like this only serve to lessen the real problems and bad experiences people have with Immigration services at the new airport and childishly mock those with real grievances.

What 'real problems and bad experiences with Immigration' would those be? Could you elaborate?

I think what he saying is that positive threads like this tend to balance out the impression of the new airport and counter the usual whinge threads.

The majority of my encounters have been good and the place functions well, but I still don't much like the building but that's not why I go there.

I think you will find that the problems are not with Thai Immigration but with the passenger whose documentation is not in order.

More than a grain of truth in that. I never cease to be amazed that, no matter how long the queue is, some folks still do not manage to double check the arrivals card, or leave it to be filled in at the counter, and fail to have the required documents ready and in order before reaching the counter. Okay some of them may not be too good at reading English but what ever happened to "if in doubt - ask"?

People moan at unfriendly immigration officials the world over but I think they'd change their tune if they had to do a full shift at the desk. I think on a good day, with a belly full of positive pills, I might last an hour. That's why I don't do a job dealing with the general public.

[Kerryd]

I've only had one lengthy delay at Immigration at Swampy back shortly after it opened. Bad timing on my part. After I checked in I went straight to the Immigration area and was greeted by huge lines queued up for each booth. I looked at my watch to see how long I had before the final boarding call (lots of time fortunately). Just before it was finally my turn I checked the time again. I had stood in the line for almost exactly ONE HOUR !

Next time through, I checked in, glanced over and noticed that the Immigration area seemed packed, so I went for a bite to eat. Went back 45 minutes later and the place was empty.

Last week, I went through the Business Class check in. Lo and behold, there I was all alone with my pick of 3 Immigration officers ! The one I went up to got a phone call just as I handed him my passport. It must have been a distracting call, because he never even glanced at me and barely looked at my passport. I think I was on my way in about 15 seconds !

I've found the Immigration lines at Dubai to be far worse that Bangkok on a regular basis. I was lucky on this trip that I was able to go through the Fast Track line (with only about 20 people ahead of me). Every other regular line was filled beyond the end of the aisle dividers, and weren't moving quickly. It seems every time I go through Dubai it is the same story (I think it has to do with a lot of immigrant workers and not having the proper paperwork). What ever the reason, if you are going in to Dubai, try to make sure you have a Business (or First) class ticket, or use the Marhaba service (costs extra but they will meet you at the plane and escort you through their own Immigration queue and right until you leave the airport).

[Meerkat]

It's only available to citizens of APEC countries so i doubt if the UK guy has one - perhaps something similar, but not APEC for sure. It's certainly not available for PRs. Also, Myanmar isnt APEC so they wouldnt get one.

Not sure about Singapore, but Hong Kong Permanent Residents, regardless of nationality, are eligible for the APEC card:

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hktraveldoc_4.htm

I've got a few mates there that use it that aren't APEC citizens.