[itwasntme]

Guys, a few more queries on Bangalore - Bangkok - Phuket:

1. Thai Airways (TG) is offering reasonable rates (full fat with 20kg luggage, meals, free seats and that delicious A350-900 till BKK), but my query is will I need to do the VoA at BKK or at HKT? If the former (probably), how much time will I need to budget for especially as TG offering only a 1.5 hour layover? Do I need to reclaim baggage and clear immigration too at BKK?

2. Malaysian (MH) is also offering good rates via KL albeit with a similar 1.5 hour layover. I saw MH kicked up the luggage transfer for a fellow member, hence a little concerned. Plus the BLR-KL leg is on a standard 737-800 which Inwoukd have preferred on a widebody.

3. Singapore Airlines (SQ) is surprisingly offering very competitive rates but needs a transit visa. How easy/tough is it to get one?

Any pointers will be highly appreciated!

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Guys, a few more queries on Bangalore - Bangkok - Phuket:
...
Any pointers will be highly appreciated!

1 & 2: At the first port of entry you will get the visa stamped. 1.5 hours in BKK airport is cutting it too close - quite risky.

3: Re-check this again. From what I know you don't need a transit visa for Singapore, unless you plan to step out.

[LiveLife]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Guys, a few more queries on Bangalore - Bangkok - Phuket:

Hi.

After having lived in that part of the world for over 10 years, here's my experience.

The most important thing to remember is its Peak time in that part of the world. Like India, they have their own administrative issues at this time i.e., luggage getting lost or not reaching on time, flights getting late thus connections getting missed et al.

VoA is going to be a long long queue if you arrive during peak working hours 0800-2000 hours. You may find touts (their own employees who may help with out of line processing but you have to identify them neat VoA counters).

Singapore transit visa can be attained from India (through the SIA authorised travel agents) they get you the visa within 24 hours. In my wife's case, she got it the same day (was tourist visa). Also Singapore has a more organised system + better airlines + Changi is amazing with lots of activities for all age groups

Thus you may be better off travelling SIA ...All the best

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by vb-saan

1 & 2: At the first port of entry you will get the visa stamped. 1.5 hours in BKK airport is cutting it too close - quite risky.

3: Re-check this again. From what I know you don't need a transit visa for Singapore, unless you plan to step out.

Thanks, makes sense. One newbie question I had asked earlier (without any response) is how is the current Thai 'free visa' system structured? In essence, do Indians still need to fill up the usual VoA forms, stand in the same queues, with the only difference now being that there are no 'official' fees any more? Or is it more seamless with no form etc., and Indians can simply get their passports scanned and walk in freely?

Again, it looks like Singapore offers the Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTV) but there are the usual boilerplates of "you maybe denied entry yada yada". As Livelife has captured below, I would feel much more comfortable with a preapproved tourist/transit visa.

Originally Posted by LiveLife

VoA is going to be a long long queue if you arrive during peak working hours 0800-2000 hours. You may find touts (their own employees who may help with out of line processing but you have to identify them neat VoA counters).

Singapore transit visa can be attained from India (through the SIA authorised travel agents) they get you the visa within 24 hours. In my wife's case, she got it the same day (was tourist visa). Also Singapore has a more organised system + better airlines + Changi is amazing with lots of activities for all age groups

Agree, tending towards SQ now; they also have the new A350-900s like TG.

[LiveLife]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

how is the current Thai 'free visa' system structured?

Regarding the Thai VoA: You still need a visa, but wont have to pay a fee anymore. Thus all the queues et al remain. Also from memory, they may charge a small fee, though not sure what they termed it as. This is from the last time they offered a similar service a few years ago.

There's a reason why SIA rated as one of the best airlines and airports in the world. And if you don't intend to leave the airport then you don't need a transit visa either.

Thanks

[itwasntme]

Still planning a Phuket trip for ~4N/5D around early February basically to chill on the beach and enjoy the food.

A few queries:
Which Phuket beach for chilling but also near some nightlife?
Worth hiring a car for a day or so?
Any stunning drives nearby?
Any must-do touristy things? I detest tourist traps as such.

[2500cc]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Still planning a Phuket trip for ~4N/5D around early February basically to chill on the beach and enjoy the food.

A few queries:
Which Phuket beach for chilling but also near some nightlife?
Worth hiring a car for a day or so?
Any stunning drives nearby?
Any must-do touristy things? I detest tourist traps as such.

- IMO, Kamala Beach is the best. Its about 9Kms from the Patong(party area) and has some pristine beach resorts.

- Totally, if you are with family this is the best mode of local transport. Taxi for whole should cost you about 3k Baht.

- Most of the Phuket roads are either mountainous or costal with great views.

- Beach-hopping (Phi-Phi, James Bond island, Phang-Na-Bay, etc) Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary, Flying Hanuman (theme park, zip-lining, etc) Fantasea, etc

[blackbandit]

Visited bangkok a week back. There is no visa required for Indians to enter the country. Directly proceed to immigrations and you will have your passport stamped with no questions asked. Overall a seamless experience. It was my first time in Thailand and I am in love with the place. The people here are amazing and the food is the best. Planning to visit again and stay for longer.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by blackbandit

Visited bangkok a week back. There is no visa required for Indians to enter the country. Directly proceed to immigrations and you will have your passport stamped with no questions asked.

Just to clarify, there are no more pesky forms etc. to be filled up? Simply queue to one single set of counters for direct stamping of passports?

Sounds superb if so!

[KL01toKA03]

Originally Posted by 2500cc

- Totally, if you are with family this is the best mode of local transport. Taxi for whole should cost you about 3k Baht.

How easy is it to rent a car without IDP? I could not find an option to apply for IDP online, and due to work and family commitments, I might not easily find half a day to visit the RTO and get it done.


I am going to Bangkok and Phuket. Would it be cheaper to book local sightseeing tours from the hotel or through websites/apps like Klook or Pelago?

[sunilch]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

How easy is it to rent a car without IDP? I could not find an option to apply for IDP online, and due to work and family commitments, I might not easily find half a day to visit the RTO and get it done.


I am going to Bangkok and Phuket. Would it be cheaper to book local sightseeing tours from the hotel or through websites/apps like Klook or Pelago?

I am not sure if you need to visit the RTO for it, but it could be a Bangalore thing I guess. I engaged an agent when I got my IDP but it was in MH and more than 15 years ago.

[blackbandit]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Just to clarify, there are no more pesky forms etc. to be filled up? Simply queue to one single set of counters for direct stamping of passports?

Sounds superb if so!

Yes no forms and no questions asked. Just proceed to the immigration counters and get the passport stamped. Validity is one month. Max they will ask is return flight tickets which was not asked for me though. Hardly took 10 min to finish up the whole process. The funny part is it took more time for me to enter back to India than enter Thailand haha

[blackbandit]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

I am going to Bangkok and Phuket. Would it be cheaper to book local sightseeing tours from the hotel or through websites/apps like Klook or Pelago?

I was staying at Lebua and the hotel tours were quite expensive. I believe it’ll be same elsewhere as well. But the concierge at the hotel gave excellent information on how to visit places every day and it was seamless for us. You can try that route. Works out to be very cheap as well. Transportation and connectivity is very good in bangkok. You can use the ferry to visit almost all the tourist attractions like grand palace, wat pho and wat Arun. Taxis are quite easy to get as well using apps like grab and bolt (cheaper but longer wait times to get a driver). Also MRT and BTS are well connected if you are okay with hopping trains. Overall it’s seamless to navigate and roam around Thailand on your own. And the people are very friendly as well

[KL01toKA03]

Originally Posted by blackbandit

Overall it’s seamless to navigate and roam around Thailand on your own. And the people are very friendly as well

Thank you. I am concerned about local tours mainly because I will go in the second week of April (I assume it will be very crowded at that time). Travelling with small children, I want to travel as comfortably as possible.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

How easy is it to rent a car without IDP? I could not find an option to apply for IDP online, and due to work and family commitments, I might not easily find half a day to visit the RTO and get it done.

KA has an online IDP option although I have never tried the same:
https://transport.karnataka.gov.in/s...-files/IDP.pdf

However, the above ink asks for a visa to be uploaded compulsorily. Wonder how that will work for VoA?

Again, any reputed car rental agencies in Phuket?