The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

TizMe · 28-12-2007, 06:37 PM

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Upon arrival you can expect to stand in the immigration queue for up to 2 hours. Just what you want at 2 am.

Can't buy a beer there either.

After that it just gets worse.

Texpat · 28-12-2007, 06:40 PM

^You need to post more often Tiz.

I honestly believe your insights and comprehension of world events are truely a step above the din.

Your av aint bad either.

Ivor Biggun · 28-12-2007, 06:40 PM

Turkministan. Shit hole. Second to Amsterdam

watterinja · 28-12-2007, 07:01 PM

Anyone ever go through the old Beijing airport?

Gallowspole · 28-12-2007, 08:04 PM

Sofia.

Flew in there from the Maldives - apart from the air hostesses on Balkan Air having more facial hair than Grizzly Adams the flight in was memorable because many of us got sick. There was a 3 or 4 hour wait for the connecting flight, however at the airport you just couldn't go to the toilet as the stench was unbearable. Only when people were at the brink of shitting themselves would they attempt to enter the toilets. I was retching and hard swallowing at a distance of 5 odd meters from the toilets so I knew I wouldn't be able to survive in there. Also ,there were no seats.

When the plane eventually boarded there was a stampede to the toilets.

Fortunately, I had a pair of cleanish kegs to replace my rather soiled ones.

Spin · 28-12-2007, 09:29 PM

Kuwait City....Oil rich nation? not judging by this airport. foking khazi.

Abu Dhabi.......Oil rich nation.......see above.

chinthee · 28-12-2007, 09:35 PM

This issue has been discussed to death on some other Thailand forums. However, I will say this.

I think the determination of the world's shittiest major international airport should be not just according to which is absolutely worst, but which ones also greatly fail to meet higher expectations for the level of development in a particular country.

I could list lots of 3rd world places I've been, but according to my revised criteria, I would say that LAX (Los Angeles) and JFK immediately come to mind. Granted, they are older airports, but are hugely important gateways into the USA.

In Asia, not counting the backwaters like Laos, etc., maybe Manila would be in there.

Texpat · 28-12-2007, 09:51 PM

Interesting to hear that Chin.

I'd rank LAX among the best. Arrived/departed with all sorts of baggage (new wives, dogs, guns, multi-natnl kids, laptops, name it) never a problem. Helped that I lived about 3 miles from there and could go shake down the dumbasses.

JFk is a different story.

(ok never owned a gun)

chinthee · 28-12-2007, 09:53 PM

^Most of my flights are into and out of the Int'l terminal, because for the past 20 years I've flown Thai, Cathay and others. I guess my perspective is from there.

If you're through connecting on UA, NW, or other US airlines maybe it's not so bad.

November Rain · 28-12-2007, 10:02 PM

I'd agree with Manila & Abu Dhabi & I'll up you Manchester (sorry, DE - but it's really not nice.

)

Ban Saray · 28-12-2007, 10:05 PM

Port Moresby, P.N.G.
The stench was worse than at the railway station in Calcutta which was at the top of my places not to re-visit.
Perth W.A has the meanest Custome pricks I've ever come across, will Never ever fly international into there again

astasinim · 28-12-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by November Rain

I'd agree with Manila & Abu Dhabi & I'll up you Manchester (sorry, DE - but it's really not nice.

)

I dont mind Manchester, it certainly beats Leeds/Bradford or Gatwick. Havent been to heathrow other than for pick ups, but if the parking space is anything to go by.......

chinthee · 28-12-2007, 10:09 PM

In terms of lack of facilities for international travelers to a major world airport, I would have to list Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and even Delhi on there. Surprisingly, Chennai is better and nowhere near as important a city.

*I travel to India 4+ times/year.

CharleyFarley · 28-12-2007, 10:13 PM

Bahrain wasn't too clever.

Wallalai · 28-12-2007, 10:21 PM

Kuwait City airport is one of the most boring I ever stayed 6 hours in transit. And without a dollar in the pocket it's like hell, no beer, no whisky, only water pouah.

Texpat · 28-12-2007, 10:28 PM

TD seems to have the world covered. sweet. (still in that lovey-dovey holiday spirit)

slimboyfat · 28-12-2007, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ban Saray

Perth W.A has the meanest Custome pricks I've ever come across, will Never ever fly international into there again

They waved me straight through on both occasions I have been there. Maybe it was the business class tags on my bags

slimboyfat · 28-12-2007, 10:48 PM

Colombo is the worst airport in my experience. And I have spent a total of 20 hours there in transit

chinthee · 28-12-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimboyfat

Colombo is the worst airport in my experience. And I have spent a total of 20 hours there in transit

Yeah, I was through there two months ago for business. I thought the most hilarious thing was the duty free shops exiting immigration. Rows upon rows of shops selling refrigerators, microwaves, major appliances of all sorts. People were wheeling out huge crates with major appliances like luggage. I laughed my ass off.

Guess it has something to do with high import tax on major appliances or something? Never bothered to figure that one out....

Spin · 28-12-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinthee

This issue has been discussed to death on some other Thailand forums.

Some of us dont look at other forums. It might be worth bearing that in mind when making observations like the above.

28-12-2007, 08:04 PM	#25 (permalink)
Gallowspole Elite Member Last Online: Today 07:56 AM Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317	Sofia. Flew in there from the Maldives - apart from the air hostesses on Balkan Air having more facial hair than Grizzly Adams the flight in was memorable because many of us got sick. There was a 3 or 4 hour wait for the connecting flight, however at the airport you just couldn't go to the toilet as the stench was unbearable. Only when people were at the brink of shitting themselves would they attempt to enter the toilets. I was retching and hard swallowing at a distance of 5 odd meters from the toilets so I knew I wouldn't be able to survive in there. Also ,there were no seats. When the plane eventually boarded there was a stampede to the toilets. Fortunately, I had a pair of cleanish kegs to replace my rather soiled ones. __________________ Al Green was my valet.

28-12-2007, 06:37 PM	#21 (permalink)
TizMe Damnern Saduak Last Online: Today 06:08 AM Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 788	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival you can expect to stand in the immigration queue for up to 2 hours. Just what you want at 2 am. Can't buy a beer there either. After that it just gets worse.

28-12-2007, 06:40 PM	#22 (permalink)
Texpat ฝรั่งพูดมาก Last Online: Today 11:18 AM Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nong Khai Posts: 9,778	^You need to post more often Tiz. I honestly believe your insights and comprehension of world events are truely a step above the din. Your av aint bad either.

28-12-2007, 06:40 PM	#23 (permalink)
Ivor Biggun Elite Member Last Online: 28-09-2008 10:23 PM Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Buriram Province out in the sticks Posts: 1,918	Turkministan. Shit hole. Second to Amsterdam

28-12-2007, 07:01 PM	#24 (permalink)
watterinja Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: exp(i*pi)=-1=i^2 Posts: 3,450	Anyone ever go through the old Beijing airport?

28-12-2007, 09:29 PM	#26 (permalink)
Spin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,950	Kuwait City....Oil rich nation? not judging by this airport. foking khazi. Abu Dhabi.......Oil rich nation.......see above.

28-12-2007, 09:35 PM	#27 (permalink)
chinthee Sundance is my bff Last Online: 23-09-2008 07:21 AM Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,033	This issue has been discussed to death on some other Thailand forums. However, I will say this. I think the determination of the world's shittiest major international airport should be not just according to which is absolutely worst, but which ones also greatly fail to meet higher expectations for the level of development in a particular country. I could list lots of 3rd world places I've been, but according to my revised criteria, I would say that LAX (Los Angeles) and JFK immediately come to mind. Granted, they are older airports, but are hugely important gateways into the USA. In Asia, not counting the backwaters like Laos, etc., maybe Manila would be in there.

28-12-2007, 09:51 PM	#28 (permalink)
Texpat ฝรั่งพูดมาก Last Online: Today 11:18 AM Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nong Khai Posts: 9,778	Interesting to hear that Chin. I'd rank LAX among the best. Arrived/departed with all sorts of baggage (new wives, dogs, guns, multi-natnl kids, laptops, name it) never a problem. Helped that I lived about 3 miles from there and could go shake down the dumbasses. JFk is a different story. (ok never owned a gun)

28-12-2007, 09:53 PM	#29 (permalink)
chinthee Sundance is my bff Last Online: 23-09-2008 07:21 AM Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,033	^Most of my flights are into and out of the Int'l terminal, because for the past 20 years I've flown Thai, Cathay and others. I guess my perspective is from there. If you're through connecting on UA, NW, or other US airlines maybe it's not so bad.

28-12-2007, 10:02 PM	#30 (permalink)
November Rain Senior Member Last Online: Today 07:14 AM Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South of Paradise City Posts: 6,018	I'd agree with Manila & Abu Dhabi & I'll up you Manchester (sorry, DE - but it's really not nice. )

28-12-2007, 10:05 PM	#31 (permalink)
Ban Saray Samut Prakan Last Online: 22-11-2008 04:15 PM Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 443	Port Moresby, P.N.G. The stench was worse than at the railway station in Calcutta which was at the top of my places not to re-visit. Perth W.A has the meanest Custome pricks I've ever come across, will Never ever fly international into there again

28-12-2007, 10:09 PM	#33 (permalink)
chinthee Sundance is my bff Last Online: 23-09-2008 07:21 AM Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,033	In terms of lack of facilities for international travelers to a major world airport, I would have to list Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and even Delhi on there. Surprisingly, Chennai is better and nowhere near as important a city. *I travel to India 4+ times/year.

28-12-2007, 10:13 PM	#34 (permalink)
CharleyFarley Tiger Bay Last Online: Today 10:18 AM Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: aberthin Posts: 1,171	Bahrain wasn't too clever.

28-12-2007, 10:21 PM	#35 (permalink)
Wallalai Bionic Helvete Last Online: Today 03:29 AM Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Here & there Posts: 1,752	Kuwait City airport is one of the most boring I ever stayed 6 hours in transit. And without a dollar in the pocket it's like hell, no beer, no whisky, only water pouah.

28-12-2007, 10:28 PM	#36 (permalink)
Texpat ฝรั่งพูดมาก Last Online: Today 11:18 AM Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nong Khai Posts: 9,778	TD seems to have the world covered. sweet. (still in that lovey-dovey holiday spirit)

28-12-2007, 10:48 PM	#38 (permalink)
slimboyfat on a slow boat from China Last Online: Today 10:33 AM Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 7,657	Colombo is the worst airport in my experience. And I have spent a total of 20 hours there in transit