Parents arriving Saturday 11th Jan - Pick them up myself or sort a taxi?

[mattk1]

Hi guys,

This may seem like a silly question but I wanted people's opinion on it.

My parents are due to arrive in Suvannbhumi airport on Saturday 11th Jan at around 7:30am. The plan all along was for me to go and pick them up and take them to Jomtien beach which is where we are staying for 10 days.

However with all the issues going on with protests I'm wondering if it would be better to sort out a taxi for them for when they arrive.

My worry is that I'll get stuck somewhere on the way to the airport and then be delayed for some time.

As I don't live in Bangkok and am not familiar with where all the issues are happening, can anyone offer their opinion of they would do in my situation?

I would love to meet them at the airport as I haven't seen them in nearly two years but the thought of being stuck in Bangkok traffic on the way to getting them is worrying me no end!

Thank you! :-)

[theoldgit]

It really depends where you live, how far are you from the airport, do you need to drive through Bangkok, can you use the ring road?

[mattk1]

Hi theoldgit,

You're right sorry! I live in Khon Kaen but will be in Pattaya Jomtien the day before my parents arrive, so would be making the trip to the airport coming from Pattaya.

Cheers :-)

[theoldgit]

In which case I would pick your parents up, Suvarnabhumi is a straight and easy run from Pattaya, you don't need to touch Bangkok and it's a pretty good road, almost motorway all the way.

Suvarnabhumi is located on the Pattaya side of Bangkok.

[mattk1]

Excellent! Thank you very much for your quick and helpful reply :-)

My only other concern is parking but I'll search for that on here as I'm sure it's been asked a million times.

Cheers theoldgit!

[theoldgit]

Multi story car park with direct access to the terminal, well signposted and pretty cheap.

[mattk1]

You have been most helpful theoldgit, thank you!

Happy new year :-)

[nonthaburial]

As stated you will not need to go anywhere near Bangkok to gain access to the airport from Jomtien, however who knows what fate will throw at you. As you are quite rightly so, very keen to meet in person, why not take a leisurely drive up the evening before and stay overnight at one of the many good but cheap hotels in the airport vicinity.

As I don't know the KK area at all, and I could be totally wrong, but shouldn't you have a concern getting to Jomtien from KK, as surely that would have to take you through BKK.

[Langsuan Man]

Just remember that if you want to meet them at the exit door for Immigration and Customs take the elevator down to the lower level. Otherwise the security guard will / might not let you use the down escalator.

If they have a mobile phone the easiest thing is for them to tell you the door number that they see when they come out

[Upnotover]

Leave Jomtien at 6 and you'll be in the carpark at 7:30. Use carpark 2 as that is nearest the meeting point. Tell them to meet you at the meeting point on arrivals level which is between doors 3 & 4.

[Torrens54]

Have a question for you.

When YOU arrived (i.e. when you were born) did your parents pick you up from your Port of Arrival or did they send a TAXI so they wouldn't have to leave home too early to get to the hospital, let alone all the trouble involved in finding a car park ?

Don't know why they are even bothering to come to Thailand if all they can expect is a Taxi Driver and a bit of cardboard with their name scribbled on it as a greeting.

[wellred]

Maybe you should start a new thread for your question. This one was for the OP.

[mattk1]

Some excellent and helpful replies here guys thank you all very much :-)

Torrens54, hahaha your post made me laugh, I'll show that to my parents. That is their kind of humour :-p

All the best!

Matt

[jaapfries]

Have a question for you.

When YOU arrived (i.e. when you were born) did your parents pick you up from your Port of Arrival or did they send a TAXI so they wouldn't have to leave home too early to get to the hospital, let alone all the trouble involved in finding a car park ?

Don't know why they are even bothering to come to Thailand if all they can expect is a Taxi Driver and a bit of cardboard with their name scribbled on it as a greeting.

Right-On; Torrens54: if that were MY parents, arriving in Thailand to visit me; I would be at that airport the day before their arrival and I would be SUPER excited while awaiting their arrival. I would finally meet with them and after the emotional huggs etc., I would walk then across to the Airport Novotel, where we would all be able to sit-down in lovely surroundings (there's even a very nice smoker's lounge !) order the best coffees of the land and have a very relaxed reunion.

Then I would walk them to my car, which is parked just outside the rear-entrance of said Novotel and happily drive home to Jomtien (where I actually live).

Geezzzzzz ! ! ! !

[mattk1]

Right on jaapfries! LOL

Do you do airport collections? If so how much for that level of service ;-p

[Bpuumike]

You haven't seen them for 2 years. I wouldn't think twice!

And as mentioned above, tell them to turn right out Customs (well, no choice there) and walk up to Gate 3 where you will be waiting.

I don't think you will have any problems at all but give yourself plenty of time. If you get there too early you can always have a meal on the lower level. Bear in mind it could take them anything from 10 minutes to 1.1/2 hours to get through Immigration. Tell them to send you an SMS when through to baggage collection.

Also, if they haven't been here before, there is a sign saying "Visa on arrival" which they should ignore and go direct to Immigration.

Good luck.

Edited January 1, 2014 by Bpuumike

[Briggsy]

I would pick them up myself if I were you.

Why?

First exposure to Thailand's "limo chauffeurs" whether they be AOT, Mr P, regular green and yellow can be hair-raising for the uninitiated. They tend to drive very fast and tailgate.

[scorecard]

I admire the OPs focus and concern on getting this done right and I hope you all enjoy the visit.

[yermanee]

Why don't you give them the VIP service on arrival.

Picked-up at gate with golf cart, whisked through immigration, assistance with luggage, escorted to the meeting point at gate 3 and if you give them your phone number they'll make sure that there are no hick-ups.

All this for 2.000 Baht here : http://www.bangkokflightservices.com/PremiumAirportServices.php

I would !

Yermanee