[Vietnam/Thailand Travelogue Day 5 Part 2] The First Trial in the Land of Smiles – Overcoming a 2-Hour Immigration Ordeal with AI as My Partner

1. Introduction

Travel is a cycle of goodbyes and hellos. As I bid farewell to Ho Chi Minh City, a place filled with chaotic energy and deep historical memories, the plane began its descent, revealing a sprawling metropolis with a completely different face below. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, the Land of Smiles. The name itself has a magical ring that never fails to captivate the hearts of travelers.

My experience in Ho Chi Minh City and my own overconfidence led to trouble upon entering Bangkok.

Even though the AI had warned me in advance.

I landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
For someone who thought they were a seasoned traveler, what awaited me at the gateway to the "Land of Smiles" was not a smile, but the first trial of my journey: an endlessly repeating immigration process.

This is the story of my first day in Bangkok, navigating the rough seas of reality with a digital compass—AI—in my hand.

2. Timeline

2.1. Digital Armament and Analog Reality – A 2-Hour Immigration Ordeal <13:10–15:09>

The plane landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport right on schedule at 13:10. The first ritual for a traveler is now "connecting to the digital world," which should be done even before passport control. I took out my smartphone on the plane and activated my Thai eSIM, "dtac".

Unlimited data and calls. Now, my connection with my partner, the AI assistant, is perfect.

The moment I stepped into the immigration area, what spread out before my eyes was exactly that sight: a giant, snake-like queue formed by people who must have gathered from all over the world.

I don't know how many minutes I waited, but I thought that when it was my turn, I would just hand over my passport, have my fingerprints checked, and be allowed to enter. However, I was turned away.

They said, "You don't have the documents, go fill them out over there."

I fell into a panic. What went wrong? I couldn't understand it immediately.

A little later, I realized, "Oh, the arrival card..."

So, I asked ChatGPT.

My prompt

ChatGPT's response

My prompt

ChatGPT's response

Just as it said, I prepared all the necessary documents to be displayed on my smartphone and simply waited for the line to move.

Then, I received a call on my mobile phone from a Thai number.
“It took so long, could this be about my suitcase pickup?”

However, even when I said, “Can you speak in English?”, they just kept speaking Thai.
I don't know why, but it made me quite anxious.

And after waiting for what felt like several tens of minutes, it was finally my turn for inspection.

I registered my fingerprints, had my photo taken, and when my passport was finally stamped, the clock had advanced by nearly two hours. The figure of 1 hour and 59 minutes shown by my GPS log was a period of real patience.

As for the suitcase I was worried about, the AirTag location information suggested it was nearby.

When I went there, I found it had been taken off the carousel and left alone in a corner, but I was able to find it.

“Oh, thank goodness.”

Later, when I looked closely, the “travel itinerary” the AI had created for me clearly mentioned the “Thailand arrival card”.
I hadn't read it carefully. My mistake.

2.2. To the Haven – The Rainy Highway <15:09–16:57>

Pulling myself together, I headed for the hotel. To do that, I asked ChatGPT where the Grab pickup point was.

My prompt

ChatGPT's response

Released from the hustle and bustle of the airport, I headed to the Grab pickup zone as the AI had instructed me.

As I waited by the pillar with the number indicated by the app while the rain poured down, I suddenly remembered.

"What was that phone call earlier?"

I tried Googling the phone number.

"So it was a sales call..."

Looking closely at the call history, I realized it wasn't a Japanese phone number, but one that had come through to the eSim I had purchased.

"I guess they have these kinds of calls in Thailand, just like in Japan."

I learned something new.

Then, after a short wait, the car I had booked arrived. I headed to the hotel in the light rain.

While gazing at the rainy highway from the car window, I noticed something.

"Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, the road conditions are no different from Japan."

There are perhaps a few more motorbikes compared to Japan, but it's a world of difference from Ho Chi Minh City.

I arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn hotel after about an hour and a half for the 40km journey.

Then, I checked in and went to my room.

As it is a new hotel, the room was functional. And this is the view from outside the room.

Right in front of me, ICONSIAM towers, and beyond that, the Chao Phraya River.

Well, I'm tired, so I'll take a break.

2.3. Fragments of daily life found on my first walk and the legendary crab curry <18:35–20:57>

After resting at the hotel, I headed out into the city for dinner. Tonight's destination is Somboon Seafood, a place that many who visit Bangkok aim for like a pilgrimage.

I was unsure how to get there, but since I was tired, I decided to take a Grab.

Before long, I arrived at Somboon Seafood.

I couldn't decide what to eat, so I consulted ChatGPT again.

My prompt

ChatGPT's response

It even tells you recommendations based on the number of people, which is quite helpful.
In the end, I ordered:
1. Poo Pad Pong (with shell)
2. Goong Ob Woonsen
3. Stir-fried morning glory

.

The moment the famous "Poo Pad Pong Curry" was brought to the table, the sweet aroma of spices and egg tickled my nostrils. One bite, and the rich umami of the crab, the curry flavor, and the mellow texture of the egg rushed in all at once. The side dishes, "Stir-fried Morning Glory" and "Steamed Shrimp with Glass Noodles," were also exquisite, and I was so absorbed that I thoroughly enjoyed the feast of my first night in Bangkok.

It was delicious, but as expected, I couldn't finish it all by myself, so I wondered what to do. Just in case, I asked ChatGPT.

My prompt

ChatGPT's answer

As advised, I had the leftovers packed up to take home.
And, although I didn't use the local language in Vietnam, I kept saying "Khop Khun Krub" after my meal.
After all, once you've heard a language, you want to try using it.

On the way back, in front of a 7-Eleven, I encountered some interesting machines that gave me a glimpse into daily life in Thailand. A BMI measuring device you can use for 1 baht, and an automatic helmet cleaner. These small discoveries are the real thrill of travel.

I didn't think I was that tired, but by the 5th day, the fatigue had certainly accumulated.
I went to bed early because I have an early start tomorrow.

3. Trip Summary

The first day in Bangkok was a microcosm of travel, where trials and rewards visited me in turns. The two-hour immigration process at Suvarnabhumi Airport taught me firsthand about the reality of this city's face as an international airport and the congestion that comes with it.

However, despite having a travel itinerary created by AI in advance, I caused trouble for myself because I hadn't read it thoroughly.

But after that, I was able to deal with the difficulties calmly and reliably. Preparing necessary documents in advance and knowing where the Grab pickup point is. I keenly felt how important such digital armaments are in modern travel.

And waiting for me after overcoming that trial was a comfortable hotel overlooking the Chao Phraya River and an exquisite crab curry that lived up to its legendary name. Because there were difficulties, the subsequent peace and joy became even deeper and more vivid.

Travel doesn't always go according to plan. But even that lack of harmony can be turned into part of the best story if you have a good partner.

4. Supplementary Information

• Interaction with AI:

  • I checked with my AI assistant regarding Thailand's entry procedures. I received specific instructions on the necessity of the 'Thailand Digital Arrival Card,' other documents to prepare (such as my return flight e-ticket), and where to board my Grab.

• GPS Data / Timeline:

  • 13:10 | Arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

  • 15:09 | Finished immigration and boarded a Grab (Time spent at the airport: approx. 2 hours)

  • 16:47 | Arrived at Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside

  • 18:56 | Arrived at Somboon Seafood (Surawong Branch)

• Hotel Information: Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside (8/16-18, 2 nights)

• Grab Usage Information:

  • Airport → Hotel: 469 THB

• Wise Usage Information / Receipt:

  • Meal cost at Somboon Seafood: 1,594 THB paid by card.

• Step Count Information: The total step count for Saturday, August 16th was 7,491 steps. Since the day was mainly spent traveling and waiting, the step count was modest.

Continued