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#1
28-01-2007, 19:04
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Ro-baht Report: Visa run BKK to Singapore, Air Asia
I work on a kind of rotating shift, so basically I never need to do visa runs - usually I end up going back to work in Europe before my 30 days are up. However, with the holidays and slow start to 2007, I finally had to make the dreaded visa run trip. After reading many visa-run posts, I decided to make the 1-day trip to Singapore via Air Asia.
Taxis Thailand: 450 baht (to and from airport) Airfare Air Asia: 4900 baht Departure Tax: 500 baht Total time: 13 hours door to door Air Asia has 2 flights to Singapore in the morning. One at 7am and one at 11:45 am. As I still wanted to party the night before and did not feel like pulling an "all-nighter", I opted for the second flight which would arrive at 15:00 Singapore time. Then I booked the return flight at 20:40 due to arrive back in BKK at 22:00. I could have taken a later flight to run around in Singapore a little, but I just couldn't be bothered. I wanted to just get it over with. Airfare wasn't too bad at 4900 baht, even booking last minute. (2-hour internation r/t flight for 100 euros is pretty good in my opinion!) Okay the long report. I left my room at 10am and as usual found a taxi immediately. Even with it being Saturday morning, the trip was fast and nearly as quick as going to the old airport. This time the taxi driver understood enough to drop me at the Departures (some of the times I've gone, they have insisted on Arrivals!). The signs to know where to stop aren't bad, but the sign for Air Asia has "Domestic" written above it (must be for THAI airways), so I got duped a little and had to walk way back to check in. The Air Asia check in lines were long, but actually they were very friendly and efficient -- almost running a comedy routine. Made me smile. I made my way to International Departures, bought my Airport Tax and then had short lines to pass immigration. My line was about 5 deep. I didn't see any "smiles" and big courtesy despite the recent articles in the newspaper! The gate was F6 (i think) and it was FAR! I didn't really stop for shopping too much, but it must have taken a solid 30 minutes from the time I left the immigration desk. They were boarding by the time I got to the gate. On a side-note, the International area of Suvarnabhumi is much nicer than the Domestic side. There were a few restaurants in the center of the walking zones that looked expensive but comfortable. The shops looked good but several of the restaurants looked a little boring - though Burger King was doing a ripping trade. If you ever look at it, I have no idea why they put the counter in such an inaccessible location! The flight left on time! (pretty surprising for Air Asia!). Seats comfortable but not much leg room. No worrries though, the flight wasn't full. I arrived at Singapore Changi and didn't go through the immigration right away. DO NOT go through immigration too early as Air Asia does not begin check-in until 2-hours before departure, or 18:40 in my case. So I explored a little. Next time I go, I will bring my swimming suit because they have a pool! I didn't check the price actually but whatever it costs sure beats sitting on a bus on the way to Cambodia! Okay, I won't write a big review of Changi Airport, but a few highlights. Free Internet in many places, laptop stations for recharging PC (bring an ethernet cable if you want free internet on your own computer I think, I didn't have one but could have bought one at a shop if I'd really wanted), lots of reclining seats for sleeping, upstairs outdoor bar for smoking if you choose, and some good duty-free deals. Cheap and cheerful tips: cheapest soda and vending machines are behind the stairs leading to immigration - you need change but the cokes are $1.30 singapore for example. There is also a 7/11 in the airport that sells beer - I bought a couple and parked myself to watch a movie on the laptop. Finally, like a moth driven to the light, I passed through immigration a little early and had about an hour to kill on the other side before check in. The other side is pretty boring, but they have a bookshop, and a few comfortable chairs in the cafes if you look for them. Check in was fast and I was back on the duty-free side by 18:40. My flight ended up being delayed for 35 minutes (not bad for Air Asia) and the flight was pretty empty. Now, you are not supposed to do this, but I bought a bottle in duty-free and cokes and ice on the flight and had my own in flight beverage service. I think Air Asia bans this, but what they don't know....so the flight was quick and enjoyable and I watched another movie (thanks to recharging the pc at the airport). Arrived BKK at 22:40 and they didn't pull into a gate and had busses waiting for us. Now, I usually think that taking a bus is a pain, but since they drop you off right at immigration you save a lot of time actually! (a side note: what were they thinking when they designed this drop-off area to enter the airport. There are no stairs and only 2 escalators, 1 up and 1 down. Huge bottleneck reminiscent of Dubai but without the baggage screening). A quick walk and short lines at immigration so i buzzed right through, no problems with the stamp or why my trip was so short. I noticed that when I left, the guy wrote "29" next to the exit stamp. 29 days stay. Well, I bet they will count the day twice if I ever ran up against the 90 day rule, but who knows. After arrival, I went up to departures and grabbed a taxi from the street - no line and you can choose the "new" taxi if you want. Back home by 11 pm, quick shower and shave was out to Sukhomvit, beer in hand before 12. A little tired but overall had a great day and was still able to enjoy a fun night out. To comment on the airports, I'd much rather spend the day in Changi than Suvarnabhumi. While I think BKK has more flights (at least it looks like that just on casual observation), the airport is comfortable and a nice experience. It made me think that the Suvarnabhumi airport was designed by people that studied other airports then decided how to save money on building it, and Changi was designed by people that actually TRAVEL. Big difference. Well, sorry that was so long, but if it helps any BM decide how to make a visa run then I guess it was worth it! Cheers, Robaht 
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#2
28-01-2007, 19:09
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Don't think they saved money on Suran., it was just "diverted" into some pockets. Been working where the burger king went. I haven't departed through Suran. yet. Wish the domestic side had some food.
__________________
Women with a past and men without a future grope and shuffle on the dance floor.
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#3
28-01-2007, 19:20
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Yeah, that's what I meant, "diverted"!!! As for the domestic side, the food gallery area didn't look too bad and didn't look THAT expensive (though probably ++ I didn't buy anything). However, I like the US airport style that has little bars nestled in between the departure gates. That would have been nice.
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#4
28-01-2007, 19:23
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There is a foodhall (City Garden) in the domestic side , it is at the "crossroads" ,on the left hand side, as you face concourse A.
__________________
Member of Phuket Hash House Harriers
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#5
28-01-2007, 19:26
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I didn't see any food for sale on the domestic side at all. I really hate those departure holding pens. Last time I was thirsty and really wanted a bottle of water. Didn't want to go through the security hassle again to get back in the room. But then it is hard to wait outside the pens because there aren't any seats or restaurants. Really not a big fan of the new airport. But there is a starbucks before check-in now 
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Women with a past and men without a future grope and shuffle on the dance floor.
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#6
28-01-2007, 19:37
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Another tip: there are a couple of little places that sell sandwiches, beer, chips etc. just outside the arrivals area. Far right side when exiting arrivals. Not too expensive either, 60b Singha for example, chips 10baht. (granted these are 100% mark up from 7/11 but still not bad for an airport) A few times on the way in or out, I've stopped there to get a few things (for the taxi ride home, or for the flight). Hungry? just tell the taxi to drop you off at arrivals then pick something up before you check in. Not sure if you could get a few Singha beers through the security at the gate, but I may try it the next time.
In Paris, at the departure gates they have some sandwich shops/bars just inside the gate area past security. Why they don't have little sandwich/drinks carts set up in the waiting areas in BKK, well, I have no idea! Would certainly work!! Robaht
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#7
23-02-2007, 10:48
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Good report, confirms my experiences at SIN. One warning: If you use Tiger Air you'll end up at their own very spartan Budget Terminal. The Chagri conveniences mentioned are only behind security at the main terminal! Can't get in w/o the proper boarding pass ;-( -- BTW: Use of swim pool & sauna is SG$8.- with free towels. I swam in my boxers. They also have massage service, but I never tried it, too expensive. Good shopping for electronix, IT, photo/video, jewelry and real Swiss watches. Best I know. Forget BKK King Power, who charge about 2x of what stuff costs a Big C or Panthip Plaza.
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