Phuket Thailand

cowboy639 · #1 01-04-2007, 18:22

Just had e-mail from Thai Airways: they have re-scheduled my Phuket flight to Don Muang....

Arriving BKK 07:20 A.M. [Suvarnabhumi] and now have to get 10:05 A.M flight from Don Muang...

Hmmmm, is 2 Hours 45 mins enough time to clear immigration, get baggage and then bus/taxi across town?

Anyone else having this problem? Am going 7th April.

webner · #2 01-04-2007, 18:37

No way clear immigration and customs needs min 2 hours

Robaht · #3 01-04-2007, 18:52

On average it takes me about 45 minutes from touchdown to taxi (upper level, departures) at the new airport - so I think you can make it as long as your flight is not delayed. I don't know why Webner says you need a minimum of 2 hours, maybe that's been his experience? It hasn't been mine.

Be smart about it though. There are 2 immigration zones (like for baggage reclaims 1-10 and 11-20) but you can go through either so find the shortest line even if it means going to the "other" zone while all your fellow passengers go to the nearest one. Also, take a taxi that just dropped somebody off at departures, saves the waiting in the taxi line. Finally, if you fly on April 7th and arrive in BKK on Sunday April 8th, traffic should be light so that's another reason you can make it.

Cheers, Ro-baht

faultytowers · #4 01-04-2007, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by webner

No way clear immigration and customs needs min 2 hours

Have had 3 flights through Suvarnabhumi and never been anywhere near 2 hours , perhaps I've just been lucky but I think you may have just hit a "very" busy time.

MrDK · #5 01-04-2007, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by faultytowers

Have had 3 flights through Suvarnabhumi and never been anywhere near 2 hours , perhaps I've just been lucky but I think you may have just hit a "very" busy time.

I must have been very lucky. I have arrived 3 times. Two times it was under 5 minutes and once it was about 15 minutes. About the same for departures 10-20 minutes. Only wait I have ever had in that airport was just after it opened, I was waiting 1 hour for luggage.

whuakito · #6 01-04-2007, 20:05

if I am not wrong transportation should be organized by thai airways,and 2hours and 45 minuts should be ok.

Crustasian · #7 01-04-2007, 20:30

Contact Thai Airways and tell them that you are going on connecting flight to Phuket.Demand (and I mean DEMAND

) that they re schedule you on to one of the out going Surbarmy Phuket flights.

faultytowers · #8 01-04-2007, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crustasian

Contact Thai Airways and tell them that you are going on connecting flight to Phuket.Demand (and I mean DEMAND

) that they re schedule you on to one of the out going Surbarmy Phuket flights.

If he is not flying International on Thai they won't give a toss about which airport he uses. Also , flight from Suvarnabhumi is at 08.00 which would be tight if incoming flight is late , next one is at 14.05 which would mean hanging around the airport for hours.

Looking at it , Thai have probably given him the best option to get a flight and not have to wait around too long.

Crustasian · #9 01-04-2007, 20:56

He might be on Star Alliance - so same advice stands.

Taxi drivers in Bangkok are having a field day charging excessive transfer fees for the trip.

faultytowers · #10 01-04-2007, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crustasian

He might be on Star Alliance - so same advice stands.

Don't think they'd allow such a short transfer time (-40 mins.) , and if he missed his connection he could be stuck without a flight (or rebooked on afternoon flight !!!!).

Caerphilly · #11 01-04-2007, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy639

Just had e-mail from Thai Airways: they have re-scheduled my Phuket flight to Don Muang....

Arriving BKK 07:20 A.M. [Suvarnabhumi] and now have to get 10:05 A.M flight from Don Muang...:

Sounds same arrangement as Thai had down for me - direct contact via Thai web site has sorted the UK to Phuket connection for the 8.00am flight

What airline are you using from UK to BKK?

cowboy639 · #12 01-04-2007, 23:16

Thanks for info everyone...
Flying Qatar Airways to Bkk. Actually arriving 7 April [Saturday]

Pussy Whipped · #13 01-04-2007, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy639

Just had e-mail from Thai Airways: they have re-scheduled my Phuket flight to Don Muang....

Arriving BKK 07:20 A.M. [Suvarnabhumi] and now have to get 10:05 A.M flight from Don Muang...

Hmmmm, is 2 Hours 45 mins enough time to clear immigration, get baggage and then bus/taxi across town?

Anyone else having this problem? Am going 7th April.

They have not rescheduled your flight. They have cancelled your flight! The new flight you are on now goes from a new airport -Not BKK and has a new flight number 4 digits. Call them and after asking nicely, insist, absolutley insist that you be put on a flight from BKK which is the airport you booked and paid to go from. Absolutley same on the way back.

BTW if you get to HKT and no luggage - imagine how much is gonna get lost now. $40 right away, they have to give it to you $50 if you were in Biz class, but you again have to fight for it.

MrDK · #14 01-04-2007, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pussy Whipped

BTW if you get to HKT and no luggage - imagine how much is gonna get lost now. $40 right away, they have to give it to you $50 if you were in Biz class, but you again have to fight for it.

In October Thai Airways "lost" my luggage. I simply asked what I was entitled to and the answer was $100 after 24 hours and $50 each additional 24 hours. I flew economy (P). When I flew out I presented a receipt for purchases just over $100. Got my money in cash in less than 5 minutes. No questions, no hassle.

Robaht · #15 01-04-2007, 23:50

When I posted earlier I was in the Hong Kong airport (excellent Thai lounge by the way and the airport runs circles around Suvarnabhumi). Touched down at 10:07 pm and was in a taxi to Bangkok (with my luggage!) at 10:49 pm. Very quick.

Cheers, Robaht

faultytowers · #16 02-04-2007, 01:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pussy Whipped

Call them and after asking nicely, insist, absolutley insist that you be put on a flight from BKK which is the airport you booked and paid to go from.

Sounds good .....until they insist that less than 40 minutes is not enough time to make the connection and say that if he really must fly from BKK then he will have to take the 14.05 flight.

norrie · #17 02-04-2007, 07:16

i normally take the last flight from phuket to bkk,for the china airlines 02.25 from bkk to ams.the last flight from phuket now lands at don muang,,meaning i have to take the 20.40 flight to the new airport,,meaning more hanging around what i think is a disaster of an airport(the new one that is).on my way to phuket,i also found the new airport too hot,and immigration was a nightmare..i counted only 12immigration counters in use ,wouldnt surprise me if more bms fly via other countries into phuket.