A Question about BKK Transfers

[dawsey]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered before but I've tried the search facility and can't find the answer to my question. On my return from Phuket to BKK with Thai Air, I understand I should leave HKT through the domestic terminal and avoid paying the departutre tax in Phuket. On arrival at BKK domestic, I have to leave the airport and stay overnight (Asia Hotel).Nextmorning I will be leaving BKK international on Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi.
My question is where do I exit BKK to avoid paying the departure tax until next morning when I finally leave Thailand, and I assume I collect my luggage from BKK domestic and either take it with me into BKK or leave it in an overnight locker(which one is best). Ive not transferred or been through BKK before so the whole airport layout is new to me. Thanks for any info

[eric-the-viking]

when you leave phuket to go bkk as long as your not checked in as a transfer passenger ,you will not pay the departure tax untill bkk international.
as safeas says you have to collect your baggage at the domestic arrivals then you do the walk of shame across the bridge ,through the car park and up the lift to the international departure where you check in again with your respected carrier,as you go through customs you pay your 500bht departure tax at the little window kiosk then go through passport control and customs.

[Captain]

I think there cannot be a problem. You only present your "domestic" HKT-BKK ticket at check-in in Phuket. On arrival in BKK when you leave the plane they will guide you to the domestic arrival and you can continue to your hotel. Next day you check in fo your international flight.
As far as I know only passengers flying Star Alliance international connecting flights (Thai, Lufthansa, Singapore, SAS etc) will pay departure tax and pass immigration in Phuket. They get a sticker "CIQ" or something like that and go to another departure lounge (international as they passed immi allready) than domestic passengers.
Bon Voyage

[dawsey]

Thanks everyone. Understood now.

[geespot]

Dawsey you cannot avoid paying the departure tax!!!!

If you fly Thai International and have connecting flight onwards from Phuket, you will check through International Departures at Phuket, if your flight has a stop over i.e. in Bangkok, you will go domestic departures and pay you departure tax when you leave Bangkok through International terminal for your journey home

All other airlines through Phuket, non Thai International, you leave Phuket via domestic departures and pay your departure tax and clear immigration in Bangkok

All this said Dawsey we are talking 500 baht, any Scottish blood in you??? 555555

G

[Coolhand]

Originally Posted by geespot

All this said Dawsey we are talking 500 baht, any Scottish blood in you??? 555555

G

Yes but he does have a family in tow, there's quite a lot you can do with 2000 baht!

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by geespot

Dawsey you cannot avoid paying the departure tax!!!!

If you fly Thai International and have connecting flight onwards from Phuket, you will check through International Departures at Phuket, if your flight has a stop over i.e. in Bangkok, you will go domestic departures and pay you departure tax when you leave Bangkok through International terminal for your journey home

All other airlines through Phuket, non Thai International, you leave Phuket via domestic departures and pay your departure tax and clear immigration in Bangkok

All this said Dawsey we are talking 500 baht, any Scottish blood in you??? 555555

G

I know it has to be paid G its just that I thought it was when I left Thailand from BKK,which it is.As Coolhand says,if I could avoid it altogether I would when I have to pay for 4people. And its not Scots blood,its Jewish