A friend of mine may be in the airport in transit from one country to another through Bangkok. I'd like to meet him for the short time he'll be there (a few hours). Is there a place I can go (as a non-passenger without a ticket) convenient for him to meet me and maybe have a coffee or something?

"Steven"

There's no way for you to go "air side".

He could come through customs and immigration, but would need to pay the extra airport tax to go back out..

Thanks, Tizme... sounds like it'll really be more effort than it's worth.

I met up with a friend passing through last week. Met him in the arrivals hall (land-side) but the big problem was trying to find a nice place for beer and a chat. Failed miserably and ended up drinking cans of Heinekin in a food outlet.

A friend of mine may be in the airport in transit from one country to another through Bangkok. I'd like to meet him for the short time he'll be there (a few hours). Is there a place I can go (as a non-passenger without a ticket) convenient for him to meet me and maybe have a coffee or something?

"Steven"

As you realise, its either him/her or you who'll have to pay the 500 bt airportfee. For him/her to get out is obvious, assuming s/he is form a normal visum-exempt counytry, and as above: LANDisde there still seem to be no cosy places for a chat.

AIRside: youll have to make a booking. preferably on a refundable fare (THAI will oblige) and check in, then declare that you wont fly afterall. On 1 of the fora of flyertalk.com (miles and points. then THAI) this is explained somehow, AFAICR for Suv-poom. the only other way I know of is that you have real ID to work for some tr-agent/tour comp. allowing airside access.

After 1/2 this magically is easier; as from then the higer airpttax of 700 is included in the ticket, getting out in INTERN,. transit becomes 'free'' (still as above: barring any not so welcome nationality)