Hi,
I was wondering how much time we should allow for transfer on a flight to Samui at BKK.
We will be arriving from Manila at 12:50PM, I'm guessing we will have to collect our luggage and clear customs and immigration then check in for the flight to Samui.
I'm going to purchase our tickets to Samui soon and want to be sure I allow enough time.

What airlines are you flying on? If you are flying full-service airlines, they will typically transfer your luggage for you.

Kathie,
We will be flying PAL from Manila to Bangkok and Bangkok Air to Samui.

I don't know the policies of PAL, but I'd call them and ask if they can transfer your luggage on to your next flight. Bangkok AIr does have this service. So when you check in at Manila, make sure they tag your luggage for Samui.

is there an immigration office and customs in samui....?? i don't think so....in which case i would plan on at least 2.5 hours for the transfer....

Bob, there is customs and immigration at Samui. The question is whether they still have you go through customs and immigration at your final destination or not. The policies on this have changed from time to time. Someone like Michael should know the answer to this.

Thanks for the advice, I was figuring on allowing 3 hours but I will check with PAL.

Kathie - we're neighbors, I see you live in Seattle, I'm just south in Renton.

I've been following everyone's posts here since our last trip to Thailand in 2005 . . got great tips then and now I get to go back!

Ah, it's always nice to meet a neighbor - especially one who like to travel to Asia!

Have a great trip!

Providing your luggage can be transferred to your final destination,you go through immigration but not customs. You DO NOT go through the regular immigration queues but instead through a special immigration queue between the international and domestic concourses. Follow the signs and it could be a long walk depending what gate you land at.

In Samui you will collect your bags at the international bagg age area (not the domestic one) and proceed through customs.

If you cannot have your bags transferred then you will go through the normal immigration lines, collect your baggage, go through customs and proceed to the domestic terminal for check in..

ask your airline if they will accept your bags for through transit