Phuket Thailand

Crustasian · #1 25-01-2008, 16:22

Immigration at Phuket (for Internation flights) is swamped.Travel early.

Flew out on Monday.The International flights were being delayed because of a log jam of evening travellers.It took me almost two hours to clear immigration and our flight was delayed to get people through.

The same thing on return.Arrival Immigration could not quickly clear the queues.This time I was an hour and a half to get through.

Soupdragon · #2 25-01-2008, 16:33

Was this because of the volume of people or are they having some problems with the systems.

I did a visa run to Ranong last Sunday and the computer system was down. This actually speeded things up, instead of the one finger typist entering details into the system it was just a quick stamp and away.

Crustasian · #3 25-01-2008, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

Was this because of the volume of people or are they having some problems with the systems.

I did a visa run to Ranong last Sunday and the computer system was down. This actually speeded things up, instead of the one finger typist entering details into the system it was just a quick stamp and away.

All desks were working buy each queue was standing four deep instead of a single line.There were a lot of European Charter flights departing.

Nautilus · #4 25-01-2008, 16:49

Yeap, i experienced the same thing last December, lots of Charter flights and other airlines landing at nearly the same time.

Cleared customs after 1hr.

geespot · #5 25-01-2008, 18:09

Its going the same way at BKK unless you turn up early in the morning

If you hit BKK at 4pm, its a nightmare

G

IRISH JONNY · #6 25-01-2008, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by geespot

Its going the same way at BKK unless you turn up early in the morning

If you hit BKK at 4pm, its a nightmare

G

agree..........i arrived there at 10 in the morning this tour...was through in 5 mins.........
last time i arrived in july it was 7 at nite......over an hour it took......ij

Nicke · #7 25-01-2008, 19:50

Maybe should be a good idea to map these charter flights from Europe so we know what day/times we should avoid when booking our own tickets.

Nanook · #8 25-01-2008, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by geespot

Its going the same way at BKK unless you turn up early in the morning

If you hit BKK at 4pm, its a nightmare

G

Lucky me, my plane is supposed to touch down at Subvarnabhumi around 7.10 am. Should rather ok then.

sishow · #9 25-01-2008, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanook

Lucky me, my plane is supposed to touch down at Subvarnabhumi around 7.10 am. Should rather ok then.

I arrived there early in the morning last trip. Still spent over an hour in immagration due to a couple of flights arriving from India/middle east just before ours. So dont take it for granted!

Nanook · #10 25-01-2008, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by sishow

I arrived there early in the morning last trip. Still spent over an hour in immagration due to a couple of flights arriving from India/middle east just before ours. So dont take it for granted!

Oops.... yes, it is known thet when a plane loaded with Arabs or Indians just landed beofre you, you are f*cked... What time you landed?

sishow · #11 25-01-2008, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanook

Oops.... yes, it is known thet when a plane loaded with Arabs or Indians just landed beofre you, you are f*cked... What time you landed?

CAnt remember the exact time. But if you look at a similar thread to this about 6 months ago, then I might of written it in there!

MassMoose · #12 25-01-2008, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by geespot

Its going the same way at BKK unless you turn up early in the morning

If you hit BKK at 4pm, its a nightmare

G

Perfect! That about when I arrive in April. 55555

Robaht · #13 25-01-2008, 21:19

When you arrive in BKK, remember that there are 2 entrances to immigration. The first is for baggage claims 1-12 and the second is for baggage claims 13-24. (or something like that). You can access both entrances and you can access all baggage claims from both entrances. So, if you arrive at immigration and the lines are really long, skip over and check out the other entrance. Often times, ie. almost every time, one of the two has very short lines and there is no need to wait more than 10 minutes. I think this is due to the drop-off point for the bus transfers from the planes and the fact that people just go to the first immigration entrance they see and aren't aware there are actually two.

Cheers, Robaht

Captain · #14 25-01-2008, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robaht

When you arrive in BKK, remember that there are 2 entrances to immigration. The first is for baggage claims 1-12 and the second is for baggage claims 13-24. (or something like that). You can access both entrances and you can access all baggage claims from both entrances. So, if you arrive at immigration and the lines are really long, skip over and check out the other entrance. Often times, ie. almost every time, one of the two has very short lines and there is no need to wait more than 10 minutes. I think this is due to the drop-off point for the bus transfers from the planes and the fact that people just go to the first immigration entrance they see and aren't aware there are actually two.

Cheers, Robaht

Didn'tknow about the 2 entrances, but expected that as I saw people in my row leave and not come back.
Thanks. Good advise.

Spector · #15 25-01-2008, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robaht

When you arrive in BKK, remember that there are 2 entrances to immigration. The first is for baggage claims 1-12 and the second is for baggage claims 13-24. (or something like that). You can access both entrances and you can access all baggage claims from both entrances. So, if you arrive at immigration and the lines are really long, skip over and check out the other entrance. Often times, ie. almost every time, one of the two has very short lines and there is no need to wait more than 10 minutes. I think this is due to the drop-off point for the bus transfers from the planes and the fact that people just go to the first immigration entrance they see and aren't aware there are actually two.

Cheers, Robaht

Great info...Just to clarify as I have an international flight coming through BKK in a couple of weeks and have to check in again with another carrier for Phuket. Can I access the other customs check point desks internally or do you have to walk back to pier “D”and access the other customs area further down this corridor?

Wallbasher · #16 26-01-2008, 00:18

I will be arriving 1-31 @ 0125 am,,, any ideas on how immigration will be at that time???

MrDK · #17 26-01-2008, 00:26

Either there has been a beg change at BKK (increase in passengers or decrease in agents) or it is seasonal. I have enter immigration 10 times at the new airport and most of the times it has been less than 10 minute wait. A couple of times it was like 20 minutes.
I have never arrived in December or January.

Sirgezza · #18 26-01-2008, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wallbasher

I will be arriving 1-31 @ 0125 am,,, any ideas on how immigration will be at that time???

Asleep

DREW · #19 26-01-2008, 01:47

When I flew out from the Uk to Phuket for Xmas and New Year I subscribed to the Iris recognition system at Passport Control. You don't need an iris passport and the system does not keep your details if you do not use it after 12 months, but boy does it save you some time and pain.

They enter your details from a scan of your passport and then took a digital photo of my eyes. You then look into a camera and system recogised my eyes and your details and you were on the system. Toy line your eyes up on a screen around 2 red circles.

When I landed back from Singapore there were 300 people waiting to go through passport control. I just strolled up to the gates (as below) and looked in the Camera. The gates then opened and I went a grabbed my cases and off I went. Never even pulled my passport from my bag.

http://www.nationalschool.gov.uk/new...udies/iris.pdf

I was a bit worried that after 14 hours, no sleep and a few drinks it would not be able to recognise my blood shot eyes but iris must not have been affected.

Maybe Phuket should adopt this system for the huge number of return visitors.

When I flew out of Phuket in January the lines of Holiday makers were the longest I have seen in over 10 years.

The investment in the new seats and shops up stairs is great but in typical Thai style logic, they have only 2 baggage scanners that work and don't really know how to manage bottle necks. Nice smiles though when you complain.

Anyway its all part of the charm of LOS, but I agree with all the Charters from Aus and Eastern Europe it is only going to get worse before it gets better.

Regards

Drew

LivinLOS · #20 26-01-2008, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by DREW

When I landed back from Singapore there were 300 people waiting to go through passport control. I just strolled up to the gates (as below) and looked in the Camera. The gates then opened and I went a grabbed my cases and off I went. Never even pulled my passport from my bag.

So how did you get your Singapore entry chop in your passport ??

I cant imagine they let you into Sing without entry chops (or leave without checking it ??)..

Interesting system.. Where else is it operating.

Nautilus · #21 26-01-2008, 08:39

Is it same as those systems with Chips in the Passport? I don't need to chop my Passport when exiting or entering Malaysia.

sishow · #22 26-01-2008, 10:27

The Uk government says they don't keep your travel details and your personnel details. My **** of course they do, as well as any other country you travel in with this kind of pass.

Im not saying dont use it. But just be careful. Information is power!

Soupdragon · #23 26-01-2008, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by sishow

The Uk government says they don't keep your travel details and your personnel details. My **** of course they do, as well as any other country you travel in with this kind of pass.

Im not saying dont use it. But just be careful. Information is power!

This is sounding a bit like Minority Report. Do HHPLC RTG work in reverse ?? Slip them on, get scanned and hey presto you become Brad Pitt.