Cheers Syzygies and Fast Eddie 48 for the updated information.
If I don't have any luggage, I'll try the Skytrain. If I do, the cab.
Cheers.
Expatcat
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Cheers Syzygies and Fast Eddie 48 for the updated information.
If I don't have any luggage, I'll try the Skytrain. If I do, the cab.
Cheers.
Expatcat
Just booked my first trip to heaven. Should I use a fast track service to get through immigration and customs or is it a waste of money.
[QUOTE=Horndog 3;1191492]Just booked my first trip to heaven. Should I use a fast track service to get through immigration and customs or is it a waste of money.[/QUOTE]Are you talking about immigration and customs in BKK? Or back in the USA? There are plenty of booths open at the new and improved airport in BKK, so it should not have much of a wait whatsoever. What takes longer, is for your bag to show up. Once you have your bag, customs is cake.
[QUOTE=Tomjackin;1191513]Are you talking about immigration and customs in BKK? Or back in the USA? There are plenty of booths open at the new and improved airport in BKK, so it should not have much of a wait whatsoever. What takes longer, is for your bag to show up. Once you have your bag, customs is cake.[/QUOTE]Tomjackin,
This is not true during the period between 11am and 12am in Bangkok, Although there are plenty of booth they aren't man whatsoever. I normally use Eva Air and arrive at 11:10 am or so, I don't know what happen in the last year but it has also been reported in many of the local English paper the last year regarding the long lines in Immigration arriving and departing.
I can confirm when arriving in Feb. Once out of the aircraft I like always pretty much fly to immigration to find that the lines have back up to the end of the ramp. In all the years coming I have never experience anything like this. I jocky up the ramp and see if I can find a shorter line which I did but not much shorter. Don't assume when you see passenger on the ramp that all lines are full. Passenger are confused and just stand around instead of moving or forcing themselves up the ramp to enter into other lines. By the time I got through immigration to get my bags it was over a hour! My bags were gone they had taken them away and put them in some corner to make room for other flights.
When I came back in mid July same thing, got to immigration this time it was backup to the top of the ramp and all open booths were full. Again I was watching which line were moving faster, who were in line, I try to stay out of lines that I feel have tour groups, families and especially Mideasterner (sorry) but lots of Chinese groups from China. I was in a line closes to where the Thai locals use and it was empty. With a few immigration walking around and looking at the situation then I notice these agents were picking out the Chinese tour groups and moving them to the empty Thai locals booth. I and a few others notice this and try to tag along but got stop so back to our regular line. As always I normally catch the Bell bus leaving for Pattaya at 12 noon, both times I miss the bus because of having to wait 45 minutes or more to get out! This time I was lucky, Bell bus happen to have a van come by with some extra passengers to drop off from Pattaya, and was able to take a number of passengers who also miss the 12 noon bus back to Pattaya at 12:30pm.
I recently met a guy who also uses Eva and they have a service VIP, not exactly how much but I remember something like 2, 000 baht and it allows you to use the other booths. He also confirm when he got to immigration the the lines were back down the ramp and was glad that he paid the extra money. As a lowly coach passenger I don't remember this service being offer but this guy was traveling Business?
When the airport open it seem new and improve but lately I don't know what has happen? I have run through some of the flight schedules from other airlines and don't notice any unusual that more increase flights are coming in at this particular period maybe someone else has an answer for the long delays?
LBM
thanks for the input tomjackin and little big man. my flight comes in at 9:00 pm. i was just wondering how fast the lines move at that time of night. i have rtff about all of the mp, soapies and bj bars. how save is it to walk around by ones self after midnight. i was thinking of going to [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901][CodeWord901][/url]'s as my first stop to start thing off. should i only exchange a little bit of money at the airport and then more the next day at a bank?
[quote=horndog 3;1191650]how save is it to walk around by ones self after midnight. i was thinking of going to [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901][CodeWord901][/url]'s as my first stop to start thing off. should i only exchange a little bit of money at the airport and then more the next day at a bank?[/quote]midnight sukhumvit road is still very busy. fairly safe. i have never been concerned. 4am it is still generally okay except that some people have had problems with ladyboys on certain almost vacant (of people) stretches. so just avoid the ladyboys standing by side of pavement. its possible they may try to pick pocket. don't allow yourself to be hugged by street by-standers. specially avoid gangs of ladyboys. i have never had a problem myself. perhaps i appear experienced.
[url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord900][CodeWord900][/url] is okay to start off if you are too tired for a full on session. bear in mind that these are not the prettiest girls in bangkok. i started my visit off with full on session at mango. now that is a real kick start.
i don't believe the exchange rates will vary that much between different proper exchange places. small diferences. so don't waste too much time of looking for the absolute best rate, is my suggestion. i know its important to some dudes to save a few extra baht but time can be the more important thing.
[QUOTE=LittleBigMan; 1191548]Tomjackin,
This is not true during the period between 11am and 12am in Bangkok, Although there are plenty of booth they aren't man whatsoever. I normally use Eva Air and arrive at 11:10 am or so, I don't know what happen in the last year but it has also been reported in many of the local English paper the last year regarding the long lines in Immigration arriving and departing.
I can confirm when arriving in Feb. Once out of the aircraft I like always pretty much fly to immigration to find that the lines have back up to the end of the ramp. In all the years coming I have never experience anything like this. I jocky up the ramp and see if I can find a shorter line which I did but not much shorter. Don't assume when you see passenger on the ramp that all lines are full. Passenger are confused and just stand around instead of moving or forcing themselves up the ramp to enter into other lines. By the time I got through immigration to get my bags it was over a hour! My bags were gone they had taken them away and put them in some corner to make room for other flights.
When I came back in mid July same thing, got to immigration this time it was backup to the top of the ramp and all open booths were full. Again I was watching which line were moving faster, who were in line, I try to stay out of lines that I feel have tour groups, families and especially Mideasterner (sorry) but lots of Chinese groups from China. I was in a line closes to where the Thai locals use and it was empty. With a few immigration walking around and looking at the situation then I notice these agents were picking out the Chinese tour groups and moving them to the empty Thai locals booth. I and a few others notice this and try to tag along but got stop so back to our regular line. As always I normally catch the Bell bus leaving for Pattaya at 12 noon, both times I miss the bus because of having to wait 45 minutes or more to get out! This time I was lucky, Bell bus happen to have a van come by with some extra passengers to drop off from Pattaya, and was able to take a number of passengers who also miss the 12 noon bus back to Pattaya at 12:30pm.
I recently met a guy who also uses Eva and they have a service VIP, not exactly how much but I remember something like 2, 000 baht and it allows you to use the other booths. He also confirm when he got to immigration the the lines were back down the ramp and was glad that he paid the extra money. As a lowly coach passenger I don't remember this service being offer but this guy was traveling Business?
When the airport open it seem new and improve but lately I don't know what has happen? I have run through some of the flight schedules from other airlines and don't notice any unusual that more increase flights are coming in at this particular period maybe someone else has an answer for the long delays?
LBM[/QUOTE]My experience is much the same, although I recall most of the booths are manned with a man or woman. Long lineups are the norm, whether I've arrived in the late morning or early evenings. This includes trips this year in late March, May and July. And other trips every year since 2007.
It helps if you rush to immigration, fly business class or sit near the front of the plane {to get off before others}, & have your immigration form filled out {though this can be done while waiting in the lineup}. Typical lineup waits are around 30 minutes and I've never had my bags disappear or be "gone".
Based on my experience I'd avoid choosing lineups with certain Asian types, not mentioning any specific country, who have a bad rep in LOS for being cheap rude and stinky. They tend to usher their buddies and family members who were behind you in the lineup to a point ahead of you. Any experienced Siam mongers will know of what nation I speak.
[quote=horndog 3;1191650]how save is it to walk around by ones self after midnight. i was thinking of going to [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901][CodeWord901][/url]'s as my first stop to start thing off. should i only exchange a little bit of money at the airport and then more the next day at a bank?[/quote]i think syzygies covered this well. personally i'd feel fairly safe to at least 2 or 3 am, at least in relatively highly populated places. although i've seen the late night crowd, with their altered state of minds due to various substances, exhibiting dangerous behaviours just like one might expect in similar situations around the world. beyond three or four in the morning i've found it mostly deserted out there.
[quote=horndog 3;1191650]thanks for the input tomjackin and little big man. my flight comes in at 9:00 pm. i was just wondering how fast the lines move at that time of night. i have rtff about all of the mp, soapies and bj bars. how save is it to walk around by ones self after midnight. i was thinking of going to [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901][CodeWord901][/url]'s as my first stop to start thing off. should i only exchange a little bit of money at the airport and then more the next day at a bank?[/quote]i usually get in around 11pm and have never taken more than 30 minutes from the plane to the taxi stand, including exchanging some money and getting a sim card. but i have also considered taking the vip service just for the fun of it. if i ever were to travel to bkk with someone on their first trip i would definitely do it.
pogo
[QUOTE=Tomjackin;1191513]Are you talking about immigration and customs in BKK? Or back in the USA? There are plenty of booths open at the new and improved airport in BKK, so it should not have much of a wait whatsoever. What takes longer, is for your bag to show up. Once you have your bag, customs is cake.[/QUOTE]I agree. Sometime the walk from the plane to the immigration can be long but not more than 10/15' at the end. There will never be more than 6-7 people ahed of you at the immigration booth (es)
Incase you fly buysiness class keep your baording pass and you can go through the business class-priority lane booth.
Immigration is a piece of cake.
I would not spend the 30-40$ another guy plans to.
Not as a cheap charlie, but just as a waste of money.
On the other hand there is people enjoying to take a limo service booking it while waiting for the luggage, not at a chaeap price.
Each one his own.
Enjoy BKK
[QUOTE=Bionicman; 1192010]I agree. Sometime the walk from the plane to the immigration can be long but not more than 10/15' at the end. There will never be more than 6-7 people ahed of you at the immigration booth (es)
Immigration is a piece of cake.[/QUOTE]I have flown into BKK 8 times this year, and only once were the lines less than 10. Most of the time they are 35 to 40 minutes long with as many as 50 folks in every line. If the lines are backed up to the windows you can count on a at least a 1/2 hour wait.
My first trip to Pattaya last July. 6 hrs after I got there shut down for elections, the next week in BKK, shut down my last nite for buddah day.
Planning my next trip ot trips (grrrrr) , are there any other days I should be aware of? Is there somewhere I can look up these days such as elections and buddah days?
[QUOTE=Thee Hammer; 1192172]My first trip to Pattaya last July. 6 hrs after I got there shut down for elections, the next week in BKK, shut down my last nite for buddah day.
Planning my next trip ot trips (grrrrr) , are there any other days I should be aware of? Is there somewhere I can look up these days such as elections and buddah days?[/QUOTE]If you would seach he forum you will find what you want.
[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?2176-Thailand-Holidays[/url]
Public Holidays:
2011 2012
New Year's Day 1 Jan 1 Jan
Makha Bucha Day 18 Feb 7 Feb
Chakri Day 6 Apr 6 Apr
Songkran Festival 13 Apr. 15 Apr 13 Apr. 15 Apr
National Labour Day 1 May 1 May
Coronation Day 5 May 5 May
Visakha Bucha Day 17 May 4 Jun
Asahna Bucha Day 16 Jul 2 Aug
H. M. Queen's Birthday 12 Aug 12 Aug
Chulalongkorn Day 23 Oct 23 Oct
H. M. King's Birthday 5 Dec 5 Dec
Constitution Day 10 Dec 10 Dec
New Year's Eve 31 Dec 31 Dec
Elections will vary in each provience, so you are on your own. You will find that after y0u leave BKK or Pattaya that the closures will be more often, money speacks in the tourist area, it is up to the local police if they feel like enforcing any holiday.
[QUOTE=Thee Hammer; 1192172]My first trip to Pattaya last July. 6 hrs after I got there shut down for elections, the next week in BKK, shut down my last nite for buddah day.
Planning my next trip ot trips (grrrrr) , are there any other days I should be aware of? Is there somewhere I can look up these days such as elections and buddah days?[/QUOTE]Besides what Lordfarq posted, I would totally avoid The week before and after January 23. That is Chinese New Year. Everything is open, but the place is a fricken zoo with Asian families from all over the world coming to celebrate.
Just post this in the BKK thread but figure it might be better if I posted this here instead.
Anyone have a list of good but cheap traditional thai massages places (the ones without sex). Looking to relax with a few sessions on my next time in BKK. Massage places near a subway or train stations a plus.
Also what are the going rates these days for a thai massage and how much is an average tip afterwards.
Thanks