Japanese man shaming Suvarnabhumi in Thai goes viral

[pkspeaker]

All these foreigners that bitch about suv. Have obviously never travelled thru los angeles or 10 other us airports, suv just isnt that bad, have used it many times, a little slow but very well organized and the food courts are decent what more do you need, ok so the taxis in every 'developing' country try to 'rip you off' goto america and see the cab fairs, oh dont worry you wont get ripped off in america, everyone has to pay that much.. And suv. Has an airportlink train just a few floors down from where you board and arrive, so who needs the taxi, you can be in the ctr of bkk for us3$. No us airport has anything close to that.. Oh but mr special here is from JAPAN.. Must be nice there

Edited January 20, 2015 by pkspeaker

[Emster23]

I hate to go against the flow, but I can't recall any particularly negative experiences at swampy, and have been using it since it opened. Then again, dementia is setting in... I like the walk to immigration after 12 hr flight from USA, plus if move with a quickness can beat the crowds. Never had bad folks stamping me at immi. Take the bus to Jomtien, so don't deal with taxis. Maybe my expectations are just too low?

Edited January 20, 2015 by Emster23

[junk1e]

Pity people who arrive at Phuket Airport. Friend arrived at midnight and spent 2 and a half hours queueing at immigration last week!

[stoli]

I remember coming here when they would not allow taxi's to depart from Don Muang (when it was the only airport.) You had to take a limo to get into town, and it was over 2,000 baht. At that time, it was the same story. Why would a country rip-off the tourists within 5 minutes of them coming here? It was a shame seeing the taxi's dropping off passengers at the airport and then having to drive back into town empty.

[AlQaholic]

Strange with the "Ladies only" thing, I see it more and more in shopping malls and elsewhere. They opened a "Ladies only" parking area at Swampy, why would one need that? ohh yes I forgot ladies are in danger of getting raped and murdered in parking lots......

First time they opened Swampy and released the first map I immediately commented "Where are the toilets?" and lo and behold a week later they where at it building more toilets

And then that additional runway that someone took away from the original project to save money...(to his own pocket).

And then they expanded the number of immigration counters to more than double upstairs and downstairs, but then they forgot to expand the number of immigration officers, result? no change of course other than a lot of empty counters

And why are the restaurants at all airports (except Copenhagen) all too expensive and the food is crap?

The most disturbing thing about Swampy is that they have to prevent any access from outside to the arrival area, which means a lot of guards standing everywhere stopping people from using escalators going there and even outside on the street it is almost impossible to get to the arrival area. Why is it needed? because it would be swamped by thugs, mafia and other lowlife that would try to cheat tourists.

I tried to meet a friend once downstairs, it was almost impossible, had to meet in the parking lot.

[jacko45k]

Too few and stinky toilets, personell can't speak english, too crowded at the check-inn, not enough smoking area's, no "good day sir" or smile, very long qeueu's, crappy dirty taxi's and driversmentality, restaurants can't speak english, restaurants can't speak english, no free wifi, too few seats for the A380 plane's, and airline groundstaff can't speak english

"Too few and stinky toilets".

Plenty of toilets and I've never come across a "stinky" one.

"personell can't speak english".

People that travellers need do speak enough English. Don't you speak Thai?

"too crowded at the check-inn"

Check in earlier.

"not enough smoking area's".

That only be a good thing, but who really cares and is it that important?

" very long qeueu's".

Is there one airport anywhere that doesn't have queues?

"crappy dirty taxi's and driversmentality".

Definitely not the responsibility of the airport.

"restaurants can't speak english".

The airport doesn't run the restaurants? This is not an English speaking country, you know.

"no free wifi".

It's an airport, do your internet stuff before or after you get there, or use your phone for contact.

"too few seats for the A380 plane's".

Which was there first, the airport or the A380s?

"airline groundstaff can't speak english".

All the staff speak enough English to do their job.

What a lot of apologist's rubbish.

The toilets are often overused and can smell, particularly near where the aircraft are.

You should not expect passengers who have just landed from Uzbekistan to Thailand for the first time to speak Thai, they might well know some English.

What is the point of checking in earlier when there are no seats in the terminal, an efficient service would be a better idea. I want to check in 1/2 hour before I need to board.

I don't smoke either so don't care, but smokers should be accommodated, as should children, disabled people.

Some airports around the world are worse, some better, but immigration queues are excessive.

Taxis gouging customers should be the responsibility of the airport, else they lose their right to take customers. If the taxis are dirty, it is also a valid complaint.

It is an airport, staff should be capable of dealing with the customers, in Switzerland and Holland, likely they could answer you in 3 or 4 languages.

Why not supply Wi-Fi....... it keeps waiting people amused.

If they accept A380s, there should be the facilities to handle them with due consideration to the passengers.

Many do not do their jobs very well.

[charmonman]

I guess I've just been lucky, but I have never experienced any of these problems. The only thing that angered me a little last time in was a huge Chinese tour group standing around, completely blocking my path as I tried to make my way towards immigration. Once I got to the queue, it was relatively efficient as usual. I have never been ripped off by an airport taxi from the public queue, and I seem to remember plenty of moving sidewalks. I do not expect immigration officials to smile at me. As long as they give me the proper stamp with no hassle, I am fine with that.

Perhaps it's because I always arrive at midnight or later?

My experiences at other airports, including Tokyo and my home airport in Vancouver, have been far, far worse. Don't get me started on the miserable and sadistic bastards who work for Canadian customs and immigration.

Let's face it, most airports are unpleasant places at best. Suvarnabhumi is not particularly bad, in my experience at least.

[givenall]

The dancing is and loud music is there to confuse tourist while the try to rip you off

[jmccarty]

I visit Swampy airport at least 2 or 3 times a month, sometimes more. Service can be great if you get there early, and that counts both ways. Like many international airports, and not counting Changi, if you race to the desk, be it immigration on arrival, or showing up when the check in desk opens. There normally is not a long wait.

But, if you can't get there early, it can be a wait.

I don't find officials any more surly than any of the surrounding countries. It is a thankless boring job, working in an airport. If you think your ime spent in the airport is uncomfortable, the people that work there every day must really enjoy it!

Never had a problem with a taxi, though I have never taken a meter taxi from or to the airport, but the price for a camry or merc is not outrageous after an economy class seat for the past, however many hours I have been travelling. The quiet, cool comfort is soothing before facing Bangkok or Pattaya.

Maybe I just expect the worse after nearly 30 years of living and travelling in South East Asia, and don't see the bad side as easily?

And I have long ago stopped noticing a smile that is really baring ones teeth, unless you have really done something to deserve someones true smile!

Edited January 20, 2015 by jmccarty

[skippy]

If you do not like Thailand chaps and ladies, try Malaga !

[Muirton]

I live up North and use Chiang Mai's aerodrome. It's astonishing how in just two years one can fly to many Asian countries direct from CNX. I haven't dealt with BKK in years. My one puzzlement is, with Japan investing in the LOS more than any other country, there isn't a direct flight from Chiang Mai to either of Tokyo's airports.

[tinhead]

Flying business class seems to have its perks - never waited more than 5 minutes in queue, staff always friendly when administering the stamp.

VIP fast track is certainly worth it, otherwise there's really no basis to bitch about this considering the number of people they process coming into Thailand and the fact that you are indeed the cattle if you so choose to go that route.

If time is of the essence, either go business, buy (or obtain) fast track or get an escort from the plane.

Entering a country and going through formalities takes time. I wonder how long the queue is at LAX or LHR. And then if there's any form of anomaly, searches and additional checks.

As for transport, I do avoid taxi most of the time as I prefer the airport link. Never personally experienced an issue but have heard the stories. The limo service which is touted throughout the airport strikes as a decent alternative and then there's Uber which costs 1000฿.

As someone who's in the air every 10-15 days and having arrived at Suvarnabhumi enough to fill up a couple passports over the last couple years, I would say it's actually quite pleasant.

Anyone arrive at KIX or NRT or HND lately? Those airports are veritable shit holes in comparison.

Edited January 20, 2015 by tinhead

[Donnie Brasco]

Immigration routinely fast-tracks me.

The whole thing takes about a half hour.

For one thing . . . . try NOT wai-ing them. They're ALL from villages in the provinces.

Nobody wais there unless it's a returned native, a bonafide Butkis or a pisstake.

Don't wai who ya pai.

In 25 years, no taxi has ever tried to overcharge me.

I tell him that I have 4 large bags and ask him if he can do it.

If he says YES, I smile and give him the voucher.

During the ride, I let my partner schmooze him if necessary.

I chime into the conversation just to let him know I understand what he's saying.

If it all goes well without any tip-begging or survey questions regarding the cost of my air ticket I tip him 50 THB per heavy bag plus loose change.

This country is Japan's "Mexico."

It can be your Mexico too.

[Manbing]

My friend arrived from OS last Friday. Same procedure, no meter inflated quote. I didn't realise there was no meter or I would refuse to pay anything. He demanded 450bht I gave him 300 and told him to gettafuk

[beammeup]

Thais are totally self absorbed with tremendous over inflated sense of self importance. They couldn't care less. They are oblivious to anything outside their own existence. They are in a state of simple consciousness. They cannot see the world around them or themselves in it. They are in the plane of simple consciousness, like cattle grazing in the field. Only knows its own existence and its next cud.

Funny thats what I think about the English when I fly into London.

[fareastguy]

At least you know it doesn't get any worse once you leave the airport.

Unfortunately for some it gets much worse !!!!

[shaurene]

He looks more like a female. I have come through swampy so many times over the years have had no problem with emigration they have been ok, but taxi problems so many times. The taxi stand outside is good to go through, you get th price and that's it. I always go through the taxi stand.

[hawker9000]

C'mon now all you thai apologists & deniers. You're falling down on the job! Obviously you're not in touch with your Japanese cousins. How did this guy slip through the net?

[monkeycountry]

We have all be saying this for years, but with little change from the powers in control.

As Thailand is all about saving face, will be interesting if this Japanese man's rant gains

some traction in social media, and forces the junta to make some changes. Japan carries

a LOT of financial clout here in Thailand, so will be interesting to see what happens...

I think there will definately be some change, but the change will not be to the airport or the taxi scams, but to the japanese mans visa status.

[Luxfare]

I love Thailand but he's right. It's arguably the nicest looking airport I've been to (after Dubai) but everything else is terrible. Sometimes it takes so long for the baggage to arrive my clothes have went out of style and if I ever get a smile from the immigration officials then I'm sure the rapture will follow.

[chotthee]

My friend arrived from OS last Friday. Same procedure, no meter inflated quote. I didn't realise there was no meter or I would refuse to pay anything. He demanded 450bht I gave him 300 and told him to gettafuk

Becareful, I would not do that.

Some do carry weapons of some sort; claim for self defense.

[Etherus]

I have to transit through Suvarnabhumi twice every two months and have been doing so for the last few years and find it the most expensive and unfriendly airport in the world. I learned my lesson some years ago to never buy anything at the duty free, you can buy cheaper out on the street or in any other country. The land of smiles is to give you false sence of wellbeing while they steal the cash from your wallet.

I no longer catch a cab from the airport, preferring to catch the train to Saen Seep Station and catch a cab from there. Can cut twenty minutes from the journey.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Etherus

[hawker9000]

To be fair, I wouldn't shop a duty free 'most anywhere in the world. 'Usually not a bargain. But the king power scam at Suv. does provide an added disincentive...

[hansgruber]

I find it ridiculous that so many empty gates are unused but still you have to exit a domestic flight on the tarmac and get into a old hot bus to be driven to a gate and then walk hundreds of metres to immigration. It's a pathetic airport.

I always choose an airline that goes to don muang so I avoid this hellhole

Edited January 20, 2015 by hansgruber

[chotthee]

To be fair, I wouldn't shop a duty free 'most anywhere in the world. 'Usually not a bargain. But the king power scam at Suv. does provide an added disincentive...

I think King Power is own by the British's Leicester City FC.

[Gentmartin]

OK, heres the deal with the taxis. They charge 700B fixed price if you have too much luggage/people to go in the standard Toyata, and need the bigger airport taxi, its that simple and not a rip off in my opinion, One of the girls explained it to me nicely when I went to pick up my bro and family last year.

As for immigration, i queued 30mins last week which is not what you need after a 12hour flight, the immigration staff were actually smiley and looking great in the new winter uniforms, but there is a load of double standards here tbh, my wife has to queue 30mins coming in to Heathrow almost every trip, and on the subject of Heathrow, what a confusing higgledy piggledy shit hole that is, especially if you need to transfer to another terminal for an onward flight, As for smoking at Heathrow....ONE smoking room per airside terminal and that after a long walk up and down to get to it. Dont get me started on the subject of Miami either.......

Swampy is crap and very badly designed but let's not apply dual standards. It would be nice if certain posters had an original and honest thought sometimes instead of just jumping in with the very boring 'thainess at it's best' comments or simply following a pack mentality. I really think that sometimes, (definitely not always as im not stupid and know there are scams and rip offs everywhere) that some people bring on their own 'bad luck' with their holier than thou' superior attitudes.

Rant over.....until i go to Dream World with the wifes neices next week and they try to force to buy a full day ticket !!

[gk10002000]

It is the absolute antithesis of tropical calm and harmony. It is like being bashed in the head with a screwdriver.

You go from long walks through a concrete bunker to a scowling immigration man to a taxi who rips you off and then proceeds to drive at the speed of light to your hotel, if he doesn't get lost.

agreed. I really can't say much good about it. It is like a gauntlet of not goodness. The two times I used DMK a few years ago were very pleasant. I instantly had a good impression of things, the décor gave one a feel of being in Thailand.

[mike324]

“When passengers ask for information, staff just keep playing with their smartphones,” he said.

This is happening at malls too, its getting out of hand. Thais should be ashamed of themselves. 50% of the staff are always playing with their cell phones and crouching down.

[soalbundy]

Tourists should be grateful for swampy, consider it to be fast track training,this is how it is my pink skinned sweeties, get used to it.

[New beginnings]

BBC are about to run one of those fly on the wall documentaries/reality shows about Suvarnabhumi and the tourist experience there.

From the trailers i've seen it's not going to be complimentary.

I don't think the authorities who okayed the filming quite realise just how bad it could make them look.

Yeh BBC3 this Thursday 22nd - Can't wait. Love that guy in trailer stamping passports going "Ching ching - ching ching" . What's all that about?