General Reports

[Nyezhov]

So here are the full details: Yes, there is a fast lane for seniors at Suvarnabhumi Airport, but it's not officially published and not guaranteed.

Here's how it works, simply:

If you're 70 years old or above, immigration officers will usually let you use the priority / fast-track lane.

Sometimes even 60+ can get through if you ask nicely.

You don't need to book anything just ask airport staff or immigration officers if there's a senior fast lane.

If you look visibly older or walk slowly, they often just wave you into the fast lane.

If you request a wheelchair, you'll automatically go through the fast track.

So: no official sign, but yes, seniors can usually get fast-tracked just by asking.

How many times have you used the Fast Track yourself LOL.

[Explorer8939]

Hey all had a quick few questions for a thailand trip for me and wife third week of April. I've done research a bit but wife is insisting I ask a few questions here as it's always worked out well to do this in the past. For this trip we wanted to do one of the walking street areas for ladies and to party, and wanted to see some beautiful beaches. For starters we were wondering where we would stay to be able to get to both. So a recommendation on a girl friendly niceish hotel (wife wants hotel fo be at least good) so we can do both. Second any recommendations for a couple in terms of getting a girl, walking street or just calling one in to hotel. We certainly would prefer getting a girl to our room versus doing something at a bar or club. Any other recommendations for must see beach etc would be awesome. We are not new to mongering and have been all over latin America for that. Wife is Venezuelan so getting ladies in Dominican or Costa Rica etc was easy. Hopefully thailand will be also. Any help would be awesome!

You are describing the classic couples visit to Patong, Phuket.

[Newton York]

Hey all had a quick few questions for a thailand trip for me and wife third week of April. I've done research a bit but wife is insisting I ask a few questions here as it's always worked out well to do this in the past. For this trip we wanted to do one of the walking street areas for ladies and to party, and wanted to see some beautiful beaches. For starters we were wondering where we would stay to be able to get to both. So a recommendation on a girl friendly niceish hotel (wife wants hotel fo be at least good) so we can do both. Second any recommendations for a couple in terms of getting a girl, walking street or just calling one in to hotel. We certainly would prefer getting a girl to our room versus doing something at a bar or club. Any other recommendations for must see beach etc would be awesome. We are not new to mongering and have been all over latin America for that. Wife is Venezuelan so getting ladies in Dominican or Costa Rica etc was easy. Hopefully thailand will be also. Any help would be awesome!

Beautiful beach? Phuket! You'll get beaches in Pattaya but they're all brown and gross. Crystal clear waters in Phuket baby! Also way more beaches to choose from in Pattaya.

[Masseys1]

Hey all had a quick few questions for a thailand trip for me and wife third week of April. I've done research a bit but wife is insisting I ask a few questions here as it's always worked out well to do this in the past. For this trip we wanted to do one of the walking street areas for ladies and to party, and wanted to see some beautiful beaches. For starters we were wondering where we would stay to be able to get to both. So a recommendation on a girl friendly niceish hotel (wife wants hotel fo be at least good) so we can do both. Second any recommendations for a couple in terms of getting a girl, walking street or just calling one in to hotel. We certainly would prefer getting a girl to our room versus doing something at a bar or club. Any other recommendations for must see beach etc would be awesome. We are not new to mongering and have been all over latin America for that. Wife is Venezuelan so getting ladies in Dominican or Costa Rica etc was easy. Hopefully thailand will be also. Any help would be awesome!

[Newton York]

So here are the full details: Yes, there is a fast lane for seniors at Suvarnabhumi Airport, but it's not officially published and not guaranteed.

Here's how it works, simply:

If you're 70 years old or above, immigration officers will usually let you use the priority / fast-track lane.

Sometimes even 60+ can get through if you ask nicely.

You don't need to book anything just ask airport staff or immigration officers if there's a senior fast lane.

If you look visibly older or walk slowly, they often just wave you into the fast lane.

If you request a wheelchair, you'll automatically go through the fast track.

So: no official sign, but yes, seniors can usually get fast-tracked just by asking.

I gotta try this next time, cause I'm definitely visibly an old man. It's time to get the old walking stick out of the garage!

[EverythingThai]

At the start of the zig-zags to immigration, an airport representative will be stationed. If you are older than a certain age, you can talk to them about the special queue for old people. That has saved me a good amount of time. Perhaps someone else will post that age threshold, I think it is around 65 years.

So here are the full details: Yes, there is a fast lane for seniors at Suvarnabhumi Airport, but it's not officially published and not guaranteed.

Here's how it works, simply:

• If you're 70 years old or above, immigration officers will usually let you use the priority / fast-track lane.

• Sometimes even 60+ can get through if you ask nicely.

• You don't need to book anything — just ask airport staff or immigration officers if there's a senior fast lane.

• If you look visibly older or walk slowly, they often just wave you into the fast lane.

• If you request a wheelchair, you'll automatically go through the fast track.

So: no official sign, but yes, seniors can usually get fast-tracked just by asking.

[Explorer8939]

These are not normal times. Not bad times, just not normal. The world economy got screwed over by covid shutdowns and then got a sugar high from all the money printed to keep the world leaders from looking bad. You are starting to see things return to a more normal world economy. It will take a few months, but things will bounce back. The GDP numbers will look bad for a couple of quarters as all that money works it way out of the system. You could also compare it to a hangover. You are right, the economy basics are still good, except in China, they are screwed.

A recession mentality seems to be controlling Wall Street now.

[HorseTrader]

There are 2 fast track entrances that I know of and there could be more. The one you referenced which is to the right at the entrance to immigration past where Thais can enter using self service machines. The other is a seperate entrance to the left of the main immigration entrance which is only available to fast track customers and has multiple lines. There may be one to the right before the main entrance also close to visa on arrival entrance but I don't remember.

In February and in November I used the first one that you mentioned. Prior to that I used a different entrance. All were good experiences, but I cannot explain where they are. When I land at BKK International I never fully understand where I am. I just follow the signs and take the hike.

Years ago I didn't qualify for any specialized immigration queue. There were 1 or 2 times I had to wait an hour or more to get through immigration.

[Houston Player]

I didn't realize that XXL and I were writing about the same thing, it has worked well for me. I've used that queue about 3 times and never had to wait more than 2 or 3 minutes before I was talking to an immigration agent.

There are 2 fast track entrances that I know of and there could be more. The one you referenced which is to the right at the entrance to immigration past where Thais can enter using self service machines. The other is a seperate entrance to the left of the main immigration entrance which is only available to fast track customers and has multiple lines. There may be one to the right before the main entrance also close to visa on arrival entrance but I don't remember.

[XXL]

The age to use Fast Track is 70.

I am allowed to use the fast track as per my visa, and it has made me waste time twice in a row. People on wheel chairs and people with infants take ages to get processed by immigration at the "fast" track. Last time by the time I got through my luggage was already on "last luggage" on the carrousel.

[HorseTrader]

The age to use Fast Track is 70.

I didn't realize that XXL and I were writing about the same thing, it has worked well for me. I've used that queue about 3 times and never had to wait more than 2 or 3 minutes before I was talking to an immigration agent.

[Houston Player]

At the start of the zig-zags to immigration, an airport representative will be stationed. If you are older than a certain age, you can talk to them about the special queue for old people. That has saved me a good amount of time. Perhaps someone else will post that age threshold, I think it is around 65 years.

The age to use Fast Track is 70.

[HorseTrader]

Not too long, unless you use the fast track. Yes, the fast track takes longer than the normal queue. I am allowed to use the fast track but will do so never again after being screwed twice already.

At the start of the zig-zags to immigration, an airport representative will be stationed. If you are older than a certain age, you can talk to them about the special queue for old people. That has saved me a good amount of time. Perhaps someone else will post that age threshold, I think it is around 65 years.

[XXL]

I am coming from US and will be arriving in Bangkok on a weekday afternoon.

What's the wait looks like for customs?

Not too long, unless you use the fast track. Yes, the fast track takes longer than the normal queue. I am allowed to use the fast track but will do so never again after being screwed twice already.

[AggieDad1]

In the beginning stages of a recession, there is often a "flight to quality" assets, such as gold. *If* the recession drags on, even quality assets decline in value.

I'm far from certain a recession is coming. The underlying economy seems strong, but the uncertainty from Washington is creating chaos.

These are not normal times. Not bad times, just not normal. The world economy got screwed over by covid shutdowns and then got a sugar high from all the money printed to keep the world leaders from looking bad. You are starting to see things return to a more normal world economy. It will take a few months, but things will bounce back. The GDP numbers will look bad for a couple of quarters as all that money works it way out of the system. You could also compare it to a hangover. You are right, the economy basics are still good, except in China, they are screwed.