Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport. The plans, announced after a government visit to the airport on Tuesday, also cover tighter security and the use of real-time flight information to deploy staff and manage passenger areas more efficiently. Staffing and passenger flow Ms Suphajee, who is also Commerce Minister, led a government team to observe the arrival process and hear from frontline reporters about problems and possible coordinated solutions. The visit was organised under a subcommittee chaired by Ms Suphajee covering trade, tourism and community economic development. It was intended to identify short-term steps that can be taken before the high season, while separating out issues requiring legislative changes or major infrastructure investment. Immediate proposals include improving automated immigration gates, matching staffing levels to flight schedules and peak arrival periods, and reorganising passenger areas. Agencies will also integrate real-time passenger and flight data so they can prepare enough space and staff before an aircraft lands. Each body involved has been instructed to appoint responsible officials, set procedures and deadlines, and track results. Ms Suphajee said problems that can be dealt with quickly would be expedited. Matters requiring legislation or longer-term infrastructure spending would be taken to government level. "The goal is to make Suvarnabhumi an international gateway that leaves travellers with a positive impression and strengthens Thailand's tourism competitiveness," she said. Security and transport around the airport Tourist police are to increase monitoring in baggage areas and conduct joint checkpoints and tour-group checks. Their role will also include managing public transport and acting against illegal guides and touts. A smart command centre and CCTV will be used to watch for suspicious individuals and assess developing situations. Authorities will additionally examine how land and infrastructure around Suvarnabhumi can be used more effectively to support visitors, transport connections and economic activity. Inbound duty-free shops under review Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyacharoen said Airports of Thailand (AoT) has submitted the possible return of inbound duty-free shops to the Fiscal Policy Office for consideration. Any proposal supported by the office would still need cabinet approval. No change has yet been approved, so arriving travellers should not assume inbound duty-free shopping will return. Mr Surapong said circumstances had changed since the earlier decision to abolish inbound duty-free. He added that such facilities could provide restaurants, shops and activities for passengers waiting to clear immigration. Related story AOT-studies-return-of-arrival-duty-free-shops Join the discussion? 20 August 2026
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