Out Of Control Immigration Lines

[Forkinhades]

well thats amazing,obviously not enough immigration officials made available.have never had to wait longer than 20 minutes.

you must be joking, I have been coming here for 3 times a year for the past 9 years, and I have got through in less than 20 minutes, its been getting steadily worse over the past couple of years. When swampy first opened it was ok, but again I repeat NEVER less than 20 minutes

[Briggsy]

well thats amazing,obviously not enough immigration officials made available.have never had to wait longer than 20 minutes.

you must be joking, I have been coming here for 3 times a year for the past 9 years, and I have got through in less than 20 minutes, its been getting steadily worse over the past couple of years. When swampy first opened it was ok, but again I repeat NEVER less than 20 minutes

I have got through in less than 20 minutes but not recently. The worst would be about 50 minutes waiting in the queue.

Always have a recce to see if the queue is being dealt with by 2 officers or just 1. Obviously 2 officers means the queue moves twice as fast.

[MJo]

I fly in and out around 2 to 3 times a month. Granted i leave early morning and fly in evening so kind of busy hours but not necessarily the peaks when all those night flights from europe are landing. I reckon it's average of 30 mins waiting. Sometimes straight thru if all others are packed to the first section and once every 3 times it is closer to one hour.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Its kind of weird.

I flew in with China Airlines from AMS several times last year. This flight arrives at 6:50AM. The immigration lines were never bad (nearly non-existant) and because I had an extension of stay, I went straight to Thai passport. The fastest I was out was when flying business. 20minutes from door of airplane to stepping out in to the warm, humid, wonderful air of BKK on the Departure level where my wife came to pick me up in the Autobahn machine.

For some reason I always saw huge groups of Indian people at the visa on arrival desk. That gave me a boost of speed to run to Immigration.

When I came from the PRC last month I arrived at 5:30PM. Cripes, drama. Leaving at 10AM 2 weeks later, the horror.

Now, Pudong Airport in Shanghai. Much worse. They have 50 desks open. There must have been 1500 people there. Took 50 minutes from start of queue till I was at the immi desk. The fact that there was group of (smelly) Africans in bad fittings suits who barely spoke English and had not filled in their forms before me did not help...

[Xangsamhua]

Have had a similar experience in Auckland, for no apparent reason. Have flown in to AKL lots of times, but problems just that one time, about 6 years ago.

At BKK I have used the "Thai residents only" desk (as I am a resident) once or twice, but have never otherwise had the need at Suvarnabhumi. I believe there's no problem using that desk if you have your work permit. Maybe it helps if you are with a Thai national.

Edited January 31, 2010 by Xangsamhua

[wkbglobal]

I travel regularly (UK Passport) and the worst airports I have encountered for wait times at immigration are London Heathrow, Madrid, Los Angeles and Charles De Gaul. Generally at Bangkok I too have never had to wait more than 20mins. I also note 9 time out of 10 the female officers tend to process quicker than their male counterparts!

[geriatrickid]

It's all in the schedule of arrivals. We were spoiled these past 18 months as airlines slashed capacity and switched to smaller jets. Now the bigger jets are back in use and flights are running at higher load capacities and there has been an increase in the package tour planes. They don't show up as scheduled air service per se, so you don't appreciate it, but they have a big impact.

It's unbearable when a few 747s land along with the Ukranian charters and the UK charters.

I experienced a real nightmare on Jan 10 when I had to fly to Japan. Phuket airport was a madhouse with checkin lines that stretched outside the terminal. Usually, I can do my bag drop in 10 minutes or less, but this time almost 90 minutes. The culprit? Thomas Cook and a Russian charter leaving at the same time.

[adammike]

Strange I flew in from PP on the 11 January about 10:40

and there was nobody and I mean nobody at Immigration

only people on the PP flight I was through and at the carousel

in 10 minuets.

[syd barrett]

Why don't they install a one-queue system like in other countries, so the next person is always seen in order fairly, instead of getting stuck behind a Chinese citizen who has not filled-in his/her landing card or in a queue that suddenly closes because the immigration staff go for a Chang/cigarette break?

[MJo]

middle of a day is ok, the peak hours seem to be early morning when all those overnights from europe land. I guess overnights from US are then landing in afternoon. Don't know. Also there seems to be quite few from europe and middle east coming in at late afternoon / evening.

They used to have one single que in one of the sections but it was quickly abandoned. I guess it didn't make it any faster.

[syd barrett]

They used to have one single que in one of the sections but it was quickly abandoned. I guess it didn't make it any faster.

A single queue does not make the Immigration procedure any faster, but it does make it more fair.

How many times have you been in a queue for an hour then the Thai Immigration official closes his/her post for a cigarette break. Another one then opens and in the mad rush to join the empty desk, you lose your place and have to wait for a further hour.

[MJo]

They used to have one single que in one of the sections but it was quickly abandoned. I guess it didn't make it any faster.

A single queue does not make the Immigration procedure any faster, but it does make it more fair.

How many times have you been in a queue for an hour then the Thai Immigration official closes his/her post for a cigarette break. Another one then opens and in the mad rush to join the empty desk, you lose your place and have to wait for a further hour.

Never

So far there is always been replacement taking over immeditately when they change shifts etc. Also have seen them to close off the que so that they process only those people already in it and then close the desk.

Usually i'm the first one they and let to the Thai side which has empty desks waiting to stamp my passport.

Agree, maybe not fair but if you go thru swampy regular and keep your eyes open there is few ways to cut it by 30 mins with bit of luck.

[salty]

A single queue would indeed be better. How often in the supermarket have you played try to spot the messer and avoid that queue.?

[syd barrett]

A single queue would indeed be better. How often in the supermarket have you played try to spot the messer and avoid that queue.?

A single queue would also be a much better use of Immigration area floorspace.

As another alternative, they could introduce a computer-number system like the banks and install a load of benches to sit on and install a nearby toilet and snack and coffee machine.

[tangoll]

Before I got the APEC Business Travel Card (which entitles me to use the fast track immigration lane), and if the immigration hall was packed, I would queue usually in the outer lanes next to unmanned lanes. If new staff come on to man the lanes, at least you would have a chance to rush to one of the newly opened lanes and blast your way thru the running stampede to get into a shorter line.

In addition, try to pick a lane where there are less dark faces; go for the white faces -- usually less chance of passport/arrival card hold-ups. And young female immigration staff usually much quicker than the old male farts, as one other poster pointed out.

[Ricardo]

I fly into Swampy on Qatar Airways, with my luggage booked-through to CNX, and my TG-boarding-pass already issued at LGW.

I can therefore bypass all the people heading for Bangkok or Patters via main-Immigration/Arrivals, following the signs for transfer to CNX/HKT/HDY & Samui (?), and clearing Immigration at the smaller less-crowded Immigration-desks along-the-way.

Collect your hold-luggage and then clear Thai Customs at the final-destination airport.

This might work for you too ... depending on who you're flying with ... if they have the same arrangement with TG ? Good Luck !

[Millard]

My flights from the US always land after 11pm. Would both immigration halls still be open at that time?

BTW, thanks for the great advice being posted.

[Krub]

My flights from the US always land after 11pm. Would both immigration halls still be open at that time?

BTW, thanks for the great advice being posted.

No you will be required to wait until 6 am the following morning

Seriously, Swampy is a 24h00 airport, immigration booths will be open

[tangoll]

The flights from HKG/BKK on Emirates or Royal Jordanian airlines arrive usually after 11:00 pm, and at those times, the main immigration hall is always open, often not crowded, but now and then some other large plane flights arrive at the same time, so crowded. The other hall, 50 metres or so away, is usually open and deserted, but last time I arrived mid-January, that hall was closed, except that the fast track lane for APEC card holders and diplomats/officials was open. You just have to go to the 2nd hall and check, and if closed, probably you haven't lost a whole lot of time if the first hall is crowded anyway.

Edited February 4, 2010 by tangoll

[mpetersen]

Swampy immigration is one of the worst in the region. Even Jakarta you get thru faster. Lately they have more staff and desks open but still not nearly enough. It takes average one hour to get into taxi from the time your plane hits the runway. First one kilometer hike to immigration, half an hour waiting, wait for your bags and walk to taxi which is in the other end and wait some more to get going. Singapore has similar if not bigger volumes and never it has took me more than 30 mins to be on my way. So it is doable.

Biggest issue is that there is three sections in immigration but one of them is reserved for crew and thai air first class passengers. So effectively 30% of the capasity is not being used. The same applies on departure, immigration section in the middle is not in use. Only occasional diplomat might go thru. So only 70% of capasity in use and this creates massive waiting times in peak hours (morning departures and arrivals from europe and US come in same time).

At least now Thai seems to have get their act together regards to check-in at 8am flights. It used to be more than one hour que for check-in since they opened Swampy but lately it is better. They have more desks open and probably re-scheduled some flights as well to ease the load...

So only solution would be to open all three sections to public and leave one desk in each for the VIP's. Off peak hours just close desks evenly in all three and peak hours keep all desks open in all 3 sections.

What gets me is this: A big line in the "foreigner" queues, and immigration officers sitting with NOBODY coming through "disabled" "thai" "VIP" queues. Now, in every other airport anywhere in the world, those idle officers will call up people standing in the regular lines one at a time. But not in BKK. It's really stubborn and odd use of immigration resources. Same at Thai check-in. There could be a line at the "gold checkin" counter a mile long, and 10 agents sitting idle at biz or first class. But NO WAY they would direct their next-tier "Star Gold" passengers; don't understand it really.

[gk10002000]

I am glad I'll be arriving first class with Thai International and will bypass any lines

Can you elaborate please? Thai Airways first class uses a special line? I have used Thai Airways but never first class.

Would these short lines apply to other airlines? I may be flyin on EVA first class in about one month.

Thanks

[syd barrett]

I am glad I'll be arriving first class with Thai International and will bypass any lines

Can you elaborate please? Thai Airways first class uses a special line? I have used Thai Airways but never first class.

Would these short lines apply to other airlines? I may be flyin on EVA first class in about one month.

Thanks

Most passengers in First & Business class receive a fast-track coupon. Proceed to the second Immigration Hall at the airport arrivals.

[wpcoe]

The immigration lines were never bad (nearly non-existant) and because I had an extension of stay, I went straight to Thai passport.

Huh? Is that the proper procedure: if one has an extension of stay, they should go to the Thai Passport lines?

[theoldgit]

The immigration lines were never bad (nearly non-existent) and because I had an extension of stay, I went straight to Thai passport.

Huh? Is that the proper procedure: if one has an extension of stay, they should go to the Thai Passport lines?

No, it's not.

Immigration Officers will sometimes allow you to enter via the Thai passport lines if you are with a Thai partner, and ask politely, but they can, and sometimes do refuse. I suppose that you could try and enter via the Thai lines if you have an extention of stay, either by asking politely or by fronting it out, but if you are not a Thai passport holder you are not supposed to use the Thai lines.

Edited February 8, 2010 by theoldgit

[Hawkseye]

The immigration lines were never bad (nearly non-existent) and because I had an extension of stay, I went straight to Thai passport.

Huh? Is that the proper procedure: if one has an extension of stay, they should go to the Thai Passport lines?

No, it's not.

Immigration Officers will sometimes allow you to enter via the Thai passport lines if you are with a Thai partner, and ask politely, but they can, and sometimes do refuse. I suppose that you could try and enter via the Thai lines if you have an extention of stay, either by asking politely or by fronting it out, but if you are not a Thai passport holder you are not supposed to use the Thai lines.

If you have a Certificate of Permanent Residence (PR) you use the Thai Passport lines regardless of your nationality. It's great, just one of the benefits of having a PR watching all you short timers and tourists queueing up at the Foreign Passport lines. I have seen the immigration guys turn away queue-jumpers who try to use the wrong lines, so best you don't try it.

[theoldgit]

If you have a Certificate of Permanent Residence (PR) you use the Thai Passport lines regardless of your nationality. It's great, just one of the benefits of having a PR watching all you short timers and tourists queueing up at the Foreign Passport lines.

Stick us down for one of them.

[worldfun]

LOL trying to leave the impression 'thai passport' lines are actually shorter then the others or even the several 100k baht for the PR was worth it for something...

[Rinrada]

Arrive and depart with wife and always go through the Thai Line and never any problems.

On one occasion on my ownsome I took a chance and told the guy that I was "con Thai" and had Bann in Samut Pracan ...plus driving license..etc ...and he stamped me through....

but maybe it was because he was laughing so much....anyway .....who dares and all that..init

[worldfun]

yes truly very daring trying a immi line without one's name on it (thai nationals) & particularly funny pretending to be 'kon tai' with a alians passport LOL.

made my daY ALRIGGHT!

[Krub]

I am glad I'll be arriving first class with Thai International and will bypass any lines

Can you elaborate please? Thai Airways first class uses a special line? I have used Thai Airways but never first class.

Would these short lines apply to other airlines? I may be flyin on EVA first class in about one month.

Thanks

Only Thai Airways give this 'service' to their F class passengers at BKK airport, You are escorted from the plane to a waiting electric cart to drive you to immigration, You go through the diplomat channel.

After immigration there is a porter ready with a caddies to pick-up your bags and bring you through customs to your car/taxi, last Saturday he pushed the caddies all the way to my D-max parked in the short term parking tower

Edited February 9, 2010 by Krub