What to expect in travel through Doha and customs

[Keri]

Hey girls I leave this Sunday for Thialand for GRS
I go through DOHA  .8 hour layover... ugh.. so then on to Bangkok from there.
So how does customs work in Thailand.. how long does it take.. whats the process like.. I have never been out of the USA
For example, I was on their site and it said you have to declare anything over 10000 baht which is about 280.00 usa dollars.. Well I am bringing cloths and personal items and a laptop.. So would I declare my laptop and go through the red zone.. ?? and pay an import fee.. I was hoping someone familiar with it would be able to help
Love
Keri

[Cindy]

Hi Hon,

Bangkok airport is enormous and very busy. The staff are very polite and helpful. Most people arriving are OS tourists and the Thai's are courteous to a fault.

Declare the money, they are totally use to OS people carrying cash etc. Your laptop is personal property and probably doesn't need declaring. I didn't declare mine. Queues can be long just be patient and follow the instructions, Signs are in English and Thai so there are no issues there.

The average Thai earns very little, so a Baht100 tip is massive and very well appreciated. If you travel by taxi the driver will ask for the toll road fee so don't be surprised if a driver asks for money on the trip to pay the toll.

As ever be polite and if you are in doubt about something ask. Most Thais in public roles speak English. It is a safe city to visit, unless there is a terrorist alert, then just follow the official guide lines.

Politics in Thailand is volatile so keep out of discussions. The King is sacred so NEVER say anything about the Royal Family. Corruption in public life is rife but will not affect you.

If you are going for GCS a car from the clinic will probably collect you. I went to a conference and arrived at 2 am, I took a taxi to my hotel and was quite nervous, but there was no issues at all.

I have to admit that the Thai people are some of the most courteous, accepting and welcoming people I have met in any country.

[Cindy]

Oh an extra, I do a fair bit of air travel and if you can afford it being a lounge member of the airline you are with gives access to their Lounges and that is a far more comfortable place to rest up than in the general areas, you get free food, drinks, showers etc. You need to weigh the cost though.

[Keri]

Oh an extra, I do a fair bit of air travel and if you can afford it being a lounge member of the airline you are with gives access to their Lounges and that is a far more comfortable place to rest up than in the general areas, you get free food, drinks, showers etc. You need to weigh the cost though.

Thank you Cindy
I am flying First Class on Qatar so my longest layover is in DOHA of 8 hours
Hoping they will have facilities I can use there...

[AnonyMs]

I don't know about Doha in particular, but the middle east is a dangerous place to travel with medicines due to their absurd drug laws. Even if you don't travel for SRS with any its quite possible possible you'll be traveling home with some. Unlikely you'll have a problem but I never transit that region these days.

There's plenty of articles on it, but here's one.

http://diytravelexpert.com/dubai-danger-medicines-drugs-and-you/

[Keri]

Ok so needles to say.. don't even think about bringing your own prescriptions for pain meds with you if you travel to these areas,
Ugh...
This is going to be interesting to say the least.
No wonder I have been told not to draw attention to myself and dress conservatively.
I wish I had booked through Japan now.... but too late and was a lot more money.
Just gotta go with the flow.
Keri