Travel Tips - BANGKOK'S WRONG AIRPORT TRIP

Roman Wanderaugh - National Radio Text Service

Going the wrong way to the wrong airport could be costly. We encountered this wrong way wrong airport problem but fortunately we made our flight. The point being what if your flight is the last of the day or the only one that day what could you do?

Sunday, March 19, 2017

THEY GOT IT WRONG

Recently we booked a VIP van to take us to Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport. Departure time was 12:00 PM to take a 3:20 PM flight. The hotel we were staying at booked the van and gave us a receipt a day prior to departure.

The next day the van arrived at 12:10 PM and asked airport? We were good to go…. We thought.

On his route he made two more stops to pick up passengers and we were on our way. Having spent 30 years living and traveling to Bangkok we were familiar with the city.

On the way we notice Hau Mark Stadium and were concerned but thought perhaps they built a CIRCLE ROAD to alleviate traffic and would eventually make a left turn. The van continued straight on and we asked a passenger what airport they were going to and they replied Savarnaphumi, the new airport.

We said we were going to Don Mueang and the passenger suggested that perhaps they would be dropped off and then we would be taken to our destination.

On arrival everyone departed and we informed the driver that we were to be taken to Don Mueang. He then took us to his manage inside the airport and he left. She asked to see our ticket and we informed her the driver took it.

She asked where we were picked up and called her office to verify the information. Apparently she was informed indeed that the booking made for us from our hotel was to go to Duan Maung airport.

She then took us to taxi and negotiated with the OLD driver wanted 500 baht for the transfer PLUS wanted us to pay an additional 150 baht toll. We refused and said the trip cost us 180 baht and would pay no more.

The manager looked confused and tried to convince us to pay the toll. Having been in the transportation business we knew we were dealing with an asshole driver and then motioned to another driver who was dropping off passengers.

The YOUNG driver agreed to be paid 400 baht and not charge for tolls. The trip is basically involved returning to the direction we came from. Envision a clock and we were at 3 PM and had to return to the center of the clock and make a right turn and go to the 12 and the top.

The driver was young and on point but we left at 2:20 and making that long trip was going to be close. We arrived at the airport a few minutes before the closing of the check in counter. We saw an Air Asia apparent supervisor dressed in black and informed her of the predicament. She promptly too us to a check in counter and we were processed to board ONE MINUTE BEFORE CLOSURE.

While waiting in the immigration processing line two other passengers said the same thing happened to them in being taken to the WRONG AIRPORT.

RESULT: We made our flight and due to our persistence we saved the VIP Van company 100 baht.

TIPS:

1. Check you receipt carefully when purchasing.

2. Take a photo of it

3. When picked up MENTION THE AIRPORT YOU'RE DESTINED FOR prior to entering the vehicle.