Thai airways missed connection in BKK; must pass through customs?

[Glider_]

Hi all,
Currently sitting in KIX waiting for our delayed flight TG673 to BKK.

The 2.5hr delay means Mr Glider and I will miss our connection to TG 483 BKK-PER by about half an hour.

As such, in KIX they've only checked us through to BKK and been told to see Thai staff at BKK to organise overnight hotel and rebooking.

We're on a single itinerary (Lifemiles J redemption) so I'm not too worried that they'll look after us and we'll get home eventually.

My big question is about if we'll have to collect bags and clear customs in BKK to access their supplied hotel.
We bought 4x 700ml bottles of alcohol in Japan which is safely tucked in the checked bags. This is fine for Australian customs, but Thai customs apparently only allow 1L per person.

I'm worried we'll have to throw away two bottles if we get to BKK and have to pass customs and go landside to deal will the missed connection overnight.

Has anyone had experience with this?

Thanks
Glider

 

[dk4]

Good luck!
FYI - there is an air-side hotel at BKK (before transfer security). If TG can check you in to stay there overnight, you won't have to officially enter the country, presuming TG can "rescue" your checked bags and redirect them to PER without your presence at the conveyor belt in BKK? Hopefully someone from TG will meet you at the gate when you arrive at BKK, and you can press them for this option if you like it.

 

[Glider_]

Yes I'm hoping something like that might be an option. I've read some unpleasant stories about massive fines for exceeding duty free allowances (e $1k+) and I'm not even sure if we can ditch the two extra bottles in the bag pickup area to avoid that if we must go landside.

 

[Glider_]

Customs Services

This seems to indicate that if we have too much duty free but never intended to try and use it in Thailand they can just hold it for us at the airport until we leave whilst we go landside. That sounds good.

On another note I am wondering if something has happened on Thai's network, a friend who was leaving from NRT this evening to connect to the same BKK-PER flight had their flight delayed, then they were reticketed on Qantas via Melbourne. TG reticketing on QF? Has the world gone topsy turvey?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Customs Services

This seems to indicate that if we have too much duty free but never intended to try and use it in Thailand they can just hold it for us at the airport until we leave whilst we go landside. That sounds good.

On another note I am wondering if something has happened on Thai's network, a friend who was leaving from NRT this evening to connect to the same BKK-PER flight had their flight delayed, then they were reticketed on Qantas via Melbourne. TG reticketing on QF? Has the world gone topsy turvey?

TBH I'd be surprised if customs even stopped you. Your entry to Thailand is involuntary so I think you have a good reason there to have forgotten about your extra bottles!

Ticketing to other airlines is not that uncommon, especially on through tickets. Although perhaps something Aussie airlines aren't that willing to do.

 

[JohnK]

You'd be extremely unlucky if pulled over at customs. You'd be able to explain the reason to them and you wouldn't be lying.

If you have to walk through customs to get to hotel take duty free with you but make sure it's in checked luggage for your next flight.

 

[leadman]

Touch wood, i've been through too many times with 2 bottles of scotch. they seem to pick on people with cardboard boxes.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

TG reticketing on QF? Has the world gone topsy turvey?

Anything is possible. A colleague was recently rebooked by QF onto VA ...

 

[Glider_]

Update: arrived in BKK 20min after our connecting flight had left (as expected). TG rep waiting at gate for us with a proposal of BKK- DPS - PER on Thai and Garuda. Declined politely, firmly and persistently for about half an hour until finally agreeing on TG BKK-PER on Thurs 14th 12.01am (no J availability on the Tue or Wed morning flights and allegedly no Tue night flight running).
Didn't want to risk flying near that Bali volcano and still a bit shy about Garuda. Strong resistance from the TG man but relented in the end. 1 night at the airport Novotel and a few meal vouchers given.

We haven't stopped in Bangkok before so we're taking it as a free stopover. Any suggestions for a day?

Ps. Reason given for the delay was the aircraft got caught up in snow in Frankfurt. Reminded me of chaos theory... a butterfly flaps it's wings on the other side of the world... and now I'm having a surprise short holiday in Thailand.

PPS. The TG rep lead us through immigration, baggage claim and customs in such a whirlwind we were through the green line and into the Novotel shuttle bus before i could even mention excess liquor.

 

[Hvr]

Catch the train into town and explore. It's safe and for a first time visitor should be exciting. Go to MBK and look around, get a foot massage. Get an all day BTS ticket and travel about. Much quicker than a taxi and you're above the traffic.

Enjoy.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Didn't want to risk flying near that Bali volcano and still a bit shy about Garuda. Strong resistance from the TG man but relented in the end. 1 night at the airport Novotel and a few meal vouchers given.

I think a stopover is a good idea!

Garuda is perfectly fine these days. Better on board than TG. Although I think you made the right choice here as IIRC the flight to PER is a 737, so no flat beds.

 

[Scarlett]

I think a stopover is a good idea!

Garuda is perfectly fine these days. Better on board than TG. Although I think you made the right choice here as IIRC the flight to PER is a 737, so no flat beds.

The DPS-PER flight is A330. The GA flight to PER you might be thinking of using B737 is from CGK.
Concur that GA is a much improved airline over recent years.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The DPS-PER flight is A330. The GA flight to PER you might be thinking of using B737 is from CGK.
Concur that GA is a much improved airline over recent years.

Thanks. I thought it was a 737 because a friend of mine flew the route a few months ago and complained the seats were only recliners (in business). Not angled or full flats. Unless it was a sub on the day?

If it was an A330 I would have happily flown it.