Bangkok - a cautionary tale

[dragonman]

Arrived in Bangkok Saturday on a OWE ticket, thinking I would buy a BKK-SYD-BKK ticket to resume the DONE4 later in the year. Check in to the hotel (LEBUA Tower - fantastic) and with my free internet book the ticket online. While I am at it I book a return ticket to Hanoi on TG on Thursday - returning on Saturday.

So here is the problem - book a ticket in bangkok and you have to go to an office and show them the credit card. Problem is this is 'Songkran', a public holiday until thursday and they don't open on weekends. So it is impossible for me to show the credit card within 48 hours.

In the end I had to cancel and re-issue through Qantas Australia - cost me $150 or so more.

And then Songkran where the object of the game is throw water sometimes from water pistols, other times from large bowls. I know what you're thinking "Bangkok is hot - water dries - get over it" - all true except some people add to the fun by adding flour to the mix.

Life could be worse - but it could be simpler too.

 

[simongr]

See going to Thailand was your first mistake

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports/around-world-then-8220.html

 

[NM]

Could you present the credit card at the airport ticket counter within the time allowed? I would expect the airport ticket counter would be open for business each day.

 

[JohnK]

In the end I had to cancel and re-issue through Qantas Australia - cost me $150 or so more.

Not sure how much time you had but you could have tried a travel agent. Sometimes their price is better than the price offered online.

And then Songkran where the object of the game is throw water sometimes from water pistols, other times from large bowls. I know what you're thinking "Bangkok is hot - water dries - get over it" - all true except some people add to the fun by adding flour to the mix.

Good old Songkran. The Thai new year water festival. The farangs have made it their playground.

After spending 2 Songkrans in Thailand I have vowed to avoid Thailand between April 12 and April 20. I usually go over to Thailand during Easter and next year Easter Sunday and Songkran clash so it will be an early exit.

 

[dragonman]

Not sure how much time you had but you could have tried a travel agent. Sometimes their price is better than the price offered online.

Naah mate there are no open travel agents. Its Songkran after all. The advice from Qantas was that to turn up at the airport and hope was a no go.

 

[kpc]

So here is the problem - book a ticket in bangkok and you have to go to an office and show them the credit card. Problem is this is 'Songkran', a public holiday until thursday and they don't open on weekends. So it is impossible for me to show the credit card within 48 hours.

In the end I had to cancel and re-issue through Qantas Australia - cost me $150 or so more.

Had a similar problem as above (http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/buying-1-way-ticket-12690.html) but followed StevePER's suggestion and booked it through expedia.com which turned out to be almost identically priced as QF's Thailand website! the eticket came through within an hour...