TG Business Class - Does Inbound Have Immigration Fastrack

[paul1970]

When flying Thai Air Business Class they have the immigration fasttrack on the way out of Thailand which is a great service after suffering some of the waits at the standard immigration, but all the times I've flown with them business class I've never been able to find if there is a fastrack on the way back into Thailand, can someone verify if such a service exists ? And if it does where is it located ?

TIA

[merijn]

No there is no fast track for TG ( or any other airline ) business class passengers.

Sometimes the airlines are picking there (first ) class passengers and guide them through immigration.

But no such service for normal business class, so you have to wait in line with the rest of the cattle.

Edited April 14, 2008 by merijn

[SeaVisionBurma]

Correction - yes there is a fast track - you'll need to ask for it as it is in a sneaky location, in the middle immigration section.

I don't do queues very well, so I always go and find the fast track, and if they haven't got one open, I go through the dipo's channel...

[nothingleftbutfaith]

Correction - yes there is a fast track - you'll need to ask for it as it is in a sneaky location, in the middle immigration section.

I don't do queues very well, so I always go and find the fast track, and if they haven't got one open, I go through the dipo's channel...

Dream on , there is no fast track for biz class passengers .

Just fly 1st class, if u want to enjoy the privileges.,

I know guys, the website says there is, but wake up TIT : This is Thailand.

Sawade pi Mai anyway

[tw25rw]

Dream on , there is no fast track for biz class passengers .

Just fly 1st class, if u want to enjoy the privileges.,

I know guys, the website says there is, but wake up TIT : This is Thailand.

Sawade pi Mai anyway

The web site says yes, but it's not up to TG.

Considering how long it usually takes for the bags to come through, I'm not too bothered at queuing for a while.

[sungod]

I am not saying yes or no, however I've been through fast track 3 times since December and supplied business class boarding card with my passport and forms and never had a problem. Lucky maybe?

[lomatopo]

According to TG's website, Royal Silk (Business Class) passengers can use FastTrack both leaving BKK and arriving BKK. Having said that, recently there have been first-hand reports that TG has been disallowing Royal Silk pax FastTrack upon arrival at BKK, but may have re-instated it. AFAIK, there have been no issues re: Roayl Silk pax using FastTrack when departing BKK. I have only flown TG in F so have used FastTrack (actually a private desk with a TG escort) departing BKK, and a FastTrack booth upon arrival, again with a TG escort. I have some Roayl Silk trips coming up soon so will try to remember to follow up here.

[offset]

I am leaving for Bangkok on Thursday business class could somebody give me simple directions to the fast track if there is one only on another topic there seems to be more than one immigration area

[SaigonDaze]

Fast Track service is only for First Class passengers now. No more Biz Class. Find the shortest line and enjoy the wait!

[technocracy]

When I flew in first time with TG there was a fast track - which was supposedly only for 1st Class but I just walked up to it with my Biz class boarding pass and slapped mine and my wifes passports on the counter, with a bit of a grumble and a stare they reluctantly stamped the passports and sent us on our way. My response to the grumbles was if you think I am waiting in that <pointing at the mass scrum on the neighbouring counter> you've got another thought coming.

Next time no fast track aisle to be seen - anywhere . . . so I just went to one of the Thai Counters slapped down the passport and again with a grumble they processed us.

As for previous comment about 1st class only getting priviledges - my reply is &lt;deleted&gt; - I don't pay nearly 3 times the Econ ticket price to have to stand in the 300 odd deep mass scrum, either departing/boarding or on arrival.

My bags come out amongst the first lot also so why the hel_l should I wait? Sorry don't do queueing and I don't have any shame of walking the full length of a boarding queue to wait at the front either if there isn't a priority boarding call. I've paid my cash and I'll take all the advantages I can get.

I haven't flown a terminating Biz flight into BKK for a while just transited so I don't know if they've reinstated it.

[technocracy]

Fast Track service is only for First Class passengers now. No more Biz Class. Find the shortest line and enjoy the wait!

As said above - &lt;deleted&gt; to that! Just walk up to it and slap the passport down with boarding pass and don't move til they've stamped your passport.

If you don't ask you don't get.

[sungod]

Fast Track service is only for First Class passengers now. No more Biz Class. Find the shortest line and enjoy the wait!

As said above - &lt;deleted&gt; to that! Just walk up to it and slap the passport down with boarding pass and don't move til they've stamped your passport.

If you don't ask you don't get.

My sentiments exactly, why should I queue with the peasants?

[SeaVisionBurma]

Dream on , there is no fast track for biz class passengers .

Just fly 1st class, if u want to enjoy the privileges.,

Sawade pi Mai anyway

Fast Track service is only for First Class passengers now. No more Biz Class. Find the shortest line and enjoy the wait!

Friendly bunch you lot are - is this the typical attitude of First Class pax?

I have flown into Bangkok 5 times in the past 2 months on a business class ticket, and have used fast track immigration each time ON ARRIVAL. I am fairly sure I was awake each time, so can rule out 'dreaming on' as a reason.

Check-in for Biz will advise you that Fast Track IS available for incoming immigration - however as I said in my previous post, you will need to look for it, go through the immigration doors towards the East (towards 'C' concourse direction), not the ones at the far West (closer to 'E', 'F' concourse direction). hope this helps offset, PM me and I will give you a clearer idea of where to go, it is not advertised

3 of the times I arrived I was the only one to use the fast track, another time I was in the queue with 1 other F class pax and one other biz pax, both were nice people, they obviously didn't attend the same attitude class as the 2 forum members I have just quoted here.

On the last arrival, the Fast Track desk was not manned, so I went through the Diplomatic channel, no problem.

For anyone who can't give constructive advice in reply to a genuine request for info - get a life...

[lomatopo]

For those departing BKK on TG in Royal Silk Class (aka: Business Class), it is probably simplest to ask at check-in re; FastTrack Immigration services. Upon arrival it is a littlie trickier, go for the FastTrack line or a regular "Foreign Passport" line. Again, all indications from TG, published on their website, are that Royal Silk pax can use FastTrack upon arrival and departure. Many first-hand observations, posted in other travel-related forums, support this.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Fast Track service is only for First Class passengers now. No more Biz Class. Find the shortest line and enjoy the wait!

As said above - &lt;deleted&gt; to that! Just walk up to it and slap the passport down with boarding pass and don't move til they've stamped your passport.

If you don't ask you don't get.

My sentiments exactly, why should I queue with the peasants?

'sungod' and 'technocracy' both have the right idea.... if there is a better, shorter queue (or a counter with nobody waiting) then I am going to go and find it, and use my biz boarding pass....

[offset]

Arrived at Bangkok today (I did try to follow your instructions Seavisionsburma) Had a quick look around for Fast Track but I was afraid of 300 poeple coming off the plane behind me there was already queues of about 12 deep so I ask a man in a black uniform where the Fast Track was he said no have I showed him my boarding pass and said words to the affect of that was no good he then promptley showed me to the sortest Thai passport queue and told me to use that one where there was only one person there when I went to the the desk a man in a brown uniform looked at me and pointed to the non passport queue I was about to tell him that I was told to use that desk when the other officer told him that it was alright and I cleared immigration in less than 5 minutes

[jonniebkk]

My sentiments exactly, why should I queue with the peasants?

Maybe because the ticket you purchased was from an airline. You didn't pay anything to the Airports of Thailand Co. Ltd. or the Royal Thai Police (Immigration Bureau) so why should you expect anything extra from them?

However, for those who don't like to wait at immigration lines, anyone can buy a one-time or multiple entry fast-track immigration services from the Thai Long Stay Co. For about US$ 40-50, you can bypass all the lines and be attended to in person by one of their representatives on both your inbound and outbound trips. One year multiple entry memberships are about USD 500 (some with other benefite too).

[IMA_FARANG]

Dream on , there is no fast track for biz class passengers .

Just fly 1st class, if u want to enjoy the privileges.,

Sawade pi Mai anyway

Fast Track service is only for First Class passengers now. No more Biz Class. Find the shortest line and enjoy the wait!

Friendly bunch you lot are - is this the typical attitude of First Class pax?

I have flown into Bangkok 5 times in the past 2 months on a business class ticket, and have used fast track immigration each time ON ARRIVAL. I am fairly sure I was awake each time, so can rule out 'dreaming on' as a reason.

Check-in for Biz will advise you that Fast Track IS available for incoming immigration - however as I said in my previous post, you will need to look for it, go through the immigration doors towards the East (towards 'C' concourse direction), not the ones at the far West (closer to 'E', 'F' concourse direction). hope this helps offset, PM me and I will give you a clearer idea of where to go, it is not advertised

3 of the times I arrived I was the only one to use the fast track, another time I was in the queue with 1 other F class pax and one other biz pax, both were nice people, they obviously didn't attend the same attitude class as the 2 forum members I have just quoted here.

On the last arrival, the Fast Track desk was not manned, so I went through the Diplomatic channel, no problem.

For anyone who can't give constructive advice in reply to a genuine request for info - get a life...

I haven't flown business class for the last year or so, but I did on my first trip through BKK. At that time there was a "fast-track" immigration for business class. As I recall you are right it was near "C" concourse. When I got off the plane a TG flight attendent lead us to it, I just followed the crowd. If I had been later or had been slow getting off, I might have gone with the crowd from the rest of the plane, and had to wait the long queue for my passport stamp.

The last two times I've flown in I didn't fly business class, and had to wait 45 minutes or more to get my passport stamped.

[tw25rw]

'sungod' and 'technocracy' both have the right idea.... if there is a better, shorter queue (or a counter with nobody waiting) then I am going to go and find it, and use my biz boarding pass....

Immigration are not going to let you assert this authority if their current directives say no.

Thai Airlines don't decide who can use which counter. They might have some agreement with immigration, but if immigration decide not to honour it, waving printouts and slapping down your passport is just going to irritate them.

Personally, when travelling, I make it a habit to never get on the wrong side of those who can ruin my holiday. And I'd prefer immigration not decide to refuse my entry or detain me for a while.

Edited April 18, 2008 by tw25rw

[technocracy]

'sungod' and 'technocracy' both have the right idea.... if there is a better, shorter queue (or a counter with nobody waiting) then I am going to go and find it, and use my biz boarding pass....

Immigration are not going to let you assert this authority if their current directives say no.

Thai Airlines don't decide who can use which counter. They might have some agreement with immigration, but if immigration decide not to honour it, waving printouts and slapping down your passport is just going to irritate them.

Personally, when travelling, I make it a habit to never get on the wrong side of those who can ruin my holiday. And I'd prefer immigration not decide to refuse my entry or detain me for a while.

Wrong side?

Dear me some folks need to grow some kahunas and stop worrying so much!

If you tell immigration you are a Biz class passenger regardless of who you fly with or airport - nearly all immigration officials will process you before Econ class.

Even the bloody &lt;deleted&gt; hole of an airport that is J'Burg has a priority window for first class and I did exactly the same and they just stamped me through.

The fact is Immigration officials understand if you're Biz class passenger and don't mind you take a few liberties.

I've done it in numerous airports and no immigration official has ever refused to stamp my passport or give me any hassle.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Immigration are not going to let you assert this authority if their current directives say no.

as far as I have experienced, there current directives have always been 'yes', and I will continue doing as I have done in the past until I am told otherwise on future arrivals.

Thai Airlines don't decide who can use which counter. They might have some agreement with immigration, but if immigration decide not to honour it, waving printouts and slapping down your passport is just going to irritate them.

Never needed the airline at the point of arrival immigration - never had a Thai staffer get me through immigration. At point of arrival, using Fast Track is between the passenger and Thai Customs/Immigration (ie me and the person stamping the passport).

Never have I 'waved' anything around - and have always had a courteous chat and hello with the official - sometimes a laugh and a joke if they are in the mood. I am polite and I do not go around irritating immigration officials. I am merely using a service that I am entitled to, and as I have said before, if I have to go and look for the particular desk to do this, I will. I am not the type of person you see screaming about what they believe they are entitled to in some belittling or disrespectful rant, and I would appreciate that no poster makes any assumption to this effect.

Personally, when travelling, I make it a habit to never get on the wrong side of those who can ruin my holiday. And I'd prefer immigration not decide to refuse my entry or detain me for a while.

What irritates me, personally, is people making assumptions about me contrary to what I have actually experienced, or inferring some kind of moral lecture on how I should act. I am so pleased that you make it a habit not to get on the wrong side etc etc - perhaps you assume I do? Well I don't - I have merely relayed my experience as per the OP question. If you have different advice - fine - good for you. Until I am told by someone in a position of authority, at the point of arrival immigration at BKK, that I can no longer use the special lane for entry away from the throng, then I will continue to use it.

[tw25rw]

I am not the type of person you see screaming about what they believe they are entitled to in some belittling or disrespectful rant, and I would appreciate that no poster makes any assumption to this effect.

What irritates me, personally, is people making assumptions about me contrary to what I have actually experienced, or inferring some kind of moral lecture on how I should act. I am so pleased that you make it a habit not to get on the wrong side etc etc - perhaps you assume I do? Well I don't - I have merely relayed my experience as per the OP question. If you have different advice - fine - good for you. Until I am told by someone in a position of authority, at the point of arrival immigration at BKK, that I can no longer use the special lane for entry away from the throng, then I will continue to use it.

No one has lectured you or "inferred some kind of moral lecture" on you at all. Don't be hystrionic.

My reply was aimed at the percieved bravado of another poster who claims to stand his ground against immigration officials.

[SeaVisionBurma]

if that is the case - then use your quotes accordingly. Your post is not the only one I see as lecturing - but don't acuse me of being hystrionic either. I hardly have excessive emotional issues, certainly not enough to have a personality disorder

lets get back on track, dare I say the 'fast track', as per the OP - pardon the pun

[LA Don]

When flying Thai Air Business Class they have the immigration fasttrack on the way out of Thailand which is a great service after suffering some of the waits at the standard immigration, but all the times I've flown with them business class I've never been able to find if there is a fastrack on the way back into Thailand, can someone verify if such a service exists ? And if it does where is it located ?

TIA

I flew in 4 Apr Biz Class and encountered a massive line. Thai rep sent me down concourse toward C/D and about half way there I spotted an immigration check with only about five in line - Fast Track?

Leaving could not be more convenient. Checked in Royal Silk 21 Apr and at the end of the counter is Fast Track. Twenty paces past immigration is one of the now numerous Thai Clubs. Biz check-in asked if I wanted a vacant seat next to me - maybe things are getting better?

[geriatrickid]

I must be blind. Last March, I flew in/out LAX-BKK J on TG, no fast track. Flew UA-F same route Christmas, no fast track. (in respect to comment doesn't matter which airline), All flights in Nov07 , Dec07 Jan 08, Mar 08 & April 08 either on LAX-BKK or SFO-BKK route using EVA Premium Laurel and no fast track. However, my EVA flights now arrive at either 1:20 am or 11:05 am and I have yet to encounter a wait of longer than 5 minutes. Last 2 arrivals I too was directed to diplomatic line. I usually depart on the BR 16:30 flight and again there are no lines. I do however make sure to avoid any line that has the usual idiots that you just know will have a problem.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

'sungod' and 'technocracy' both have the right idea.... if there is a better, shorter queue (or a counter with nobody waiting) then I am going to go and find it, and use my biz boarding pass....

Immigration are not going to let you assert this authority if their current directives say no.

Thai Airlines don't decide who can use which counter. They might have some agreement with immigration, but if immigration decide not to honour it, waving printouts and slapping down your passport is just going to irritate them.

Personally, when travelling, I make it a habit to never get on the wrong side of those who can ruin my holiday. And I'd prefer immigration not decide to refuse my entry or detain me for a while.

Thai Airways do ... at any Thai airports with international arrivals.

[pampal]

Just try the fast track, the worst is that they say no , go to another queue

[nothingleftbutfaith]

Just try the fast track, the worst is that they say no , go to another queue

Time to put this thread to rest.

There is no "official" fast track arrival immigration at BKK for TG C class passengers.

Only guaranteed for F passengers.

If you try your luck at the diplomatic counters when flying TG C, you may get it, but may as well not get it.

[Payboy]

was supposed to be here...

dont know if its still there though...

Edited May 12, 2008 by Payboy

[SeaVisionBurma]

yep, that's it..