Phuket

joe418 · #1 15-12-2004, 21:32

Flying out to los in a week or so,and i've got 5/6 hrs wait in bkk,before my flight to phuket.

Do i go through immigration and sample bangkoks finest,or do i go to the standby desk,and see if i can get on an earlier flight?

joe.

Josssie · #2 15-12-2004, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe418

Flying out to los in a week or so,and i've got 5/6 hrs wait in bkk,before my flight to phuket.

Do i go through immigration and sample bangkoks finest,or do i go to the standby desk,and see if i can get on an earlier flight?

joe.

Joe,

You give the answer yourself........ First go check-out the standby desk,
If not possible to get an earlier flight, go see Bangkok for a few hours

Phil_in_Thai · #3 15-12-2004, 22:03

Go enjoy the city and when they offer you an extra night + cash for an overbooked flight.....go spend ANOTHER night.

Its why I book an extra day holiday each time.

scubamatt · #4 15-12-2004, 22:14

If you have checked your bags through all the way to Phuket, then they will not let you take an earlier flight even if there is space. You have to travel on the same plane as your bags - unless they loose them that is.
If you check your bags only to Bangkok, then you have to clear customs and pick them up there. Then you are free to go to the domestic terminal (take the free bus - it is a long walk with luggage) and try to change your ticket for an earlier one. Or you can leave your bags at left luggage (near the domestic departure check in desks) and sample Bangkok for a night.

joe418 · #5 15-12-2004, 22:24

Recommend anywhere good,close to the airport for some action?

joe.

Jimmy D · #6 16-12-2004, 01:04

Joe

traffic sucks trying to get back and forth to airport you dont want to miss your flight. have a great time.

Josssie · #7 16-12-2004, 01:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy D

Joe

traffic sucks trying to get back and forth to airport you dont want to miss your flight. have a great time.

This all depends on what time you landing in Bangkok. If early in the morning, like many flights do, it's no problem to go to Suhkumvit on the express road.
Last time we landed in BKK at 05:00 am, got out the airport at 05:45 and where at Suhkumvit at 06:05. Also later when we got back to the airport it toke only 15 minutes from Suhkumvit. Ok we had a crazy taxi-driver and maybe a bit of luck i guess, but out of 12 times only 1 time toke us more than half an hour.

slimbag · #8 16-12-2004, 01:41

friday, saturday traffic can be real bad, best is sunday usually very quiet , last time took me 30mins from bang-na to don muang

joe418 · #9 17-12-2004, 16:01

Lands in bkk @ 4.00pm,and my connection to phuket is not till 9.40 pm,so if i dont get an earlier connection,does anyone recommend anywhere good and safe to visit closish to the airport for some fun?

Joe,

stevem · #10 17-12-2004, 18:33

Careful, if you have checked in through to Phuket at your origin, then they will expect to see you at the gates 1 to 7 for the transfer to your domestic flight. I have heard of folks previously having problems exiting the international terminal whilst in transit.

5 hours isnt all that long, thats assuming the inbound flight in on time. Just go book out a bar stool somewhere and chat with the folks at the bar.

gregor200 · #11 17-12-2004, 20:14

Last time we checked customs in BKK, even as our baggage had been checked thru Phuket. When we entered the gate at the national airport, we had to pay an addition 50 Baht security tax.

We waited long time in Phuket for our baggage, until we noticed that we had to go to the international baggage claim to pick it up.

butterflyblonde · #12 17-12-2004, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

Careful, if you have checked in through to Phuket at your origin, then they will expect to see you at the gates 1 to 7 for the transfer to your domestic flight. I have heard of folks previously having problems exiting the international terminal whilst in transit.

5 hours isnt all that long, thats assuming the inbound flight in on time. Just go book out a bar stool somewhere and chat with the folks at the bar.

Think i remember R3aps saying something about a massage place upstairs in BKK airport ... that would while away some time

joe418 · #13 17-12-2004, 23:35

But it didn't seem the type of place that did extra's,very open plan set up,unless anybody's got any other storys about it?

joe.

Mac · #14 19-12-2004, 08:52

Why not book up a game of golf on the runway. I really must try this and aim for the longest drive ever courtesy of the port engine of a jumbo jet. If golf is not your thing then usually a quick smile at the checkin desk gets you onto an earlier flight if your bags are not checked through.
Mac

ihavefun · #15 20-12-2004, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe418

Flying out to los in a week or so,and i've got 5/6 hrs wait in bkk,before my flight to phuket.

Do i go through immigration and sample bangkoks finest,or do i go to the standby desk,and see if i can get on an earlier flight?

joe.

Lets just say the first time we were there we spent 5 days in phuket and arranged 5 days in Bangkok... We got back to Bangkok spent one night there in the bioke sky , left our luggage in room(nice room, great view) took our swimmers and wallet and went straight back to patong....

GET A EARLY FLIGHT

domifletch · #16 21-12-2004, 02:11

Last May, I had to wait 5 hours in BKK for my flight to Phuket, so I went to the desk in front of the first Free tax shops and they immediatly chenged my flight, so had only to wait 2 hours, just right in time for luggage transfer. I had to pay nothing for this.