Tips on being stranded in Bangkok
Keywords: Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok protests, U-Tapao, PAD, Thailand, foreigners, stranded, refund, accommodation, meals, hotels, ATTA refund, TAT, what to do, things to do
If you’re still stuck in Bangkok and will be for a while, I hope this helps.
Getting out
If you already have a return ticket, contact your airline’s office. If they don’t pick up the phone, go to their office directly. They are the best people who can get you out of Bangkok without having you pay extra. They may have arranged for flights out of U-Tapao, or other arrangements.
Avoid going to U-Tapao without having booked your flight out. You will more likely than not be forced to sleep in that airport. Book your flight before heading to U-Tapao.
When you’re at U-Tapao, find where the bulk of the passengers on your flight are gathered. Follow them closely, and know what time you’re scheduled to check-in. There’s plenty of free water but limited free food so it would be good if you had your own food, as demand exceeds supply. Be prepared to wait for hours as it’s common for the flights to be delayed. If you’re there at night, have a jacket, it gets pretty cold and windy. Stay alert when your flight number is being called as only then are you able to check-in. Miss it and you might be stuck in the crowd. And the crowd is massive. Think hundreds of people jammed outside the door of check-in with their multiple luggages.
Follow through the remaining procedures of checking-in baggage, getting your boarding pass, and clearing immigration.
(Aside: they’re too busy to weigh your baggage so excess luggage weight is escapable just this time you shopaholic)
Getting to U-Tapao
I heard there are free buses for tourists going to U-Tapao airport from Central but I cannot verify this. Do try to catch that one if it’s available. Alternatively there are buses every half hour or so at the Ekkamai bus terminal leaving for Pattaya or Sattahip. Catching the one to Sattahip is closer to U-Tapao, costs 140 baht, and takes three hours and a bit. Tuk-tuks or taxis can take you to U-Tapao airport from the Sattahip stop. 100 baht per person for the tuk-tuk. Your journey from Ekkamai bus terminal to U-Tapao is approximately 4 hours. And you should get there 3 hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight.
Waiting it out
We contemplated this option since we weren’t in a rush to get back, but considering violence may escalade, we knew we wouldn’t be able to stay with a peace of mind, so through a series of events we managed to book our flight back.
Nevertheless, if you decide to wait it out, there are many four or five star hotels you can choose to stay in for free. A few have TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) desks set up at the lobby to assist you (they have been working overtime so pardon them if they’re not too friendly). You can see the list of hotels and other situation updates here. Alternatively, you can call Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) Tel: +66 2 237-6046-8, + 66 2 632-7400-2), Thai Hotels Association (THA) (Tel: 02 281 9496 or Hotline Number : 1552), and TCT (Tel: 02-250-5500 ext. 1646).
Although they don’t state very clearly on their website, you can actually get a refund for your accommodation from the date your flight got cancelled. You can claim up to 2000 baht per day per person, including meals, but these meals must have been taken at the place of accommodation. All claims must be accompanied with receipts. The TAT desks may not tell you this, but you can claim your refunds at ATTA (Association of Thai Travel Agents), 10th floor of Wall Street Tower (not sure of the exact address, but it’s on Surawong Road, between Patpong 2 and Soi Thaniya, you should see an unopened Le Meridien across the street about a block or two away). Bring your passport, air ticket, and receipts to ATTA to get your refund. Don’t expect cold hard cash though, they ask for your bank account number and say they’ll transfer the money after they receive if from the government. Don’t know how long that will take, if at all.
Wait it out at a luxurious hotel with three meals provided. A high class refugee camp?
Whichever your choice, have patience and I hope you can continue your journey soon.
