Bangkok

dakind69 · #1 17-04-2006, 08:34

Being of middle eastern decent I have had some "interesting" adventures going through customs on my travels. Searches, interogations, dogs sniffing me and my bags etc. Not fun after a long flight.

What can I expect arriving at the Bangkok airport?

(Im not a terrorist or drug smuggler just a business man)

Thanks very much

fun2have · #2 17-04-2006, 09:20

no different to what all frequent and semi frequent travellers face.
happens to me exactly the same when i arrive back in oz from a trip to los.

stevem · #3 17-04-2006, 10:06

A rather curious first post on the board !!!!!!!

georgelondon · #4 17-04-2006, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

A rather curious first post on the board !!!!!!!

i agree..most people ask.."where can i find a cheap ******"?

anyway...only thing about going thru thai customes is it aint quick!

enjoy your trip.

Sirgezza · #5 17-04-2006, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

A rather curious first post on the board !!!!!!!

So is the second post

''Customs at Phuket Airport

Taking my frist trip to Thailand. Being of middle eastern decent I have had some "interesting" adventures going through customs on my travels. Searches, interogations, dogs sniffing me and my bags... ''

mars · #6 17-04-2006, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

A rather curious first post on the board !!!!!!!

Well its taken him three months to ask the questions perhaps he has used the search engine before but couldn't find anything on this subject.

As he says he's not a terrorist or a drug smuggler, Is he

dawsey · #7 18-04-2006, 04:00

Immigration at BKK is a joke.

An airport that size with only a dozen desks to clear everyone going through is nowhere near enough. Departures is worse,with that iris scanner and passport swiping taking ages, it really does add to the time getting through now.

stevem · #8 18-04-2006, 04:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgelondon

ianyway...only thing about going thru thai customes is it aint quick!

Customs is quick, almost nonexistant. Immigration is a joke.

The Real Sledge · #9 18-04-2006, 05:49

I have always been straight through

Only problem i had last time was a really drunk man in front of me. He had come from Europe and had obviously drunk the entire flight and had not filled in a landing card. The Thai on the desk was very diplomatic, I would have had him arrested he was that pissed

Mav · #10 18-04-2006, 09:26

I got a going over coming home by Customs in Melbourne last week....quizzed me several times why l have been to Thailand so many times in the past 2 years etc.....felt like saying "mate have ya seen the pussy out there".....anyway they went thru all my stuff with a fine tooth comb....all they found was lubricant, condoms & dirty clothes....and one of those colouful Chang Mai hats.

Fair enough there got a job to do....might have heard the Thai girls call me "Mr Big"

fun2have · #11 18-04-2006, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mav

I got a going over coming home by Customs in Melbourne last week....quizzed me several times why l have been to Thailand so many times in the past 2 years etc.....felt like saying "mate have ya seen the pussy out there".....anyway they went thru all my stuff with a fine tooth comb....all they found was lubricant, condoms & dirty clothes....and one of those colouful Chang Mai hats.

Fair enough there got a job to do....might have heard the Thai girls call me "Mr Big"

got grilled in melbourne, you are a frequent traveller to thailand sir, yes, i work hard 6 or 7 days a week like you do, i replied, so i have holidays 3 times a year, so i go and enjoy myself.
i really felt like saying, i go to los have fun, chase bgs, drink beer and watch the world go by.
now its changed, you are frequent traveller to los sir, yes i am, i have a beautiful tg who i will marry.
got queried why i had 3 hours between my arrival in melbourne and my next connecting flight home, i said well 1 day i am going to really get rumbled by you lot (customs) so i allow myself that time, can i go now ?

doolittle · #12 18-04-2006, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Immigration at BKK is a joke.

An airport that size with only a dozen desks to clear everyone going through is nowhere near enough. Deapartures is worse,with that iris scanner and passport swiping taking ages, it really does add to the time getting through now.

I guess it depends a bit on what time you arrive/depart. I arrive at 6 am, only pack a small sportsbag I take with me on the plane and hardly ever have to wait more then 5-10 minutes at the imigrations desk. I depart around 3 am and again it's not that busy at that hour.

stevem · #13 19-04-2006, 03:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mav

I got a going over coming home by Customs in Melbourne last week....quizzed me several times why l have been to Thailand so many times in the past 2 years etc

Big TIP Mav, always tick "business" as reason for the trip.

The Real Sledge · #14 19-04-2006, 03:10

i have been pulled by a woman customs officer last 2 times at heathrow.

"traveling alone sir?"

"Not again?"

Mosti · #15 19-04-2006, 04:26

Well,
was a little curious on my first arrival too,
but it worked out very good, the immigration was kind of fast - they opened all counters - far faster than cambodia...

customs were not a problem, just walk through it - if you do not have anything to declare.

More problems resulted, on my trip back to germany ("the world as a guest of friends..." - the WM2006 motto - well not really in my opinion):

first of all, the plane had to fly a couple of circles over frankfurt (~45min)
then the gate was not ready / empty yet (further 20min)
afterwards, they checked your passport after disembarking the aircraft
again at the immigration desk - only half the counters were open
finally, they checked your passport again at the customs, everybody was
searched, interrogated and so on - finally back home

You see, i had much better experiences in BIA than at home in germany

Mosti