Immigration System Overhaul Underway at Suvarnabhumi Airport

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Matichon

 

Thailand's Immigration Bureau (IB) announced plans to enhance services at Suvarnabhumi Airport, aiming to strike a balance between streamlined efficiency and national security. The changes will be driven by the development of the Thailand Immigration System (TIS), which aims to modernise the immigration process with advanced technology.

 

Discussing this initiative, Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, head of Immigration Division 2, emphasised the importance of integrating faster services for the anticipated influx of passengers.

 

With prior experience in managing immigration at five key international airports, Maj Gen Choengron is well-placed to lead these improvements.

 

With Suvarnabhumi currently accommodating an average of 120,000 passengers daily, projections for peak season suggest this number could rise to 135,000.

 

Hence, the need for additional staff and resources is pressing, following the Prime Minister's recent visit highlighting the issue of congestion.

 

To address these challenges, new systems have been introduced to reduce the processing time per passenger from 1-2 minutes to approximately 45 seconds.

 

The elimination of certain steps, such as manually entering flight data, will contribute to these efficiencies. As a result, the total waiting time, including queuing, is expected to be under 20 minutes.

The planned roll-out of the Advanced Passenger Processing System (APPS) further aims to bolster security by flagging individuals wanted internationally before they even reach passport control.

 

Looking ahead, the IB aims to complete the TIS within two years, integrating AI for enhanced security measures. Automatic channels mirroring those at Singapore’s Changi Airport could further streamline processes.

 

While these technological upgrades promise speedier services, the dedication to national safety remains paramount, with immigration officers keeping vigilant to prevent potential threats, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-11-18

 

 

[Mburo]

Oh….so it’s  “within you years “….says it all. 

[Edwin Cameron]

Hopefully they keep the 'Immigration chanels' for the elderly travellers,they shouldn't have to wait in a queu.

[GoodieAfterDark]

 

[kwilco]

Thai authorities and IT.....makes me shiver!

[daveAustin]

Came through couple times this year and despite long lines it was pretty quick and polite. Peak season another matter I guess. Just let the Chinese walk right in… as we all know they’re squeaky clean. 🙂

[CygnusX1]

Took me 95 minutes to get through immigration arriving at Sydney airport, with its 100% electronic system, a couple of months back. Hope Thailand’s not going to introduce anything like that.

[tandor]

22 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Came through couple times this year and despite long lines it was pretty quick and polite. Peak season another matter I guess. Just let the Chinese walk right in… as we all know they’re squeaky clean. 🙂

..and all look the same (so I'm told)

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the dedication to national safety remains paramount, with immigration officers keeping vigilant to prevent potential threats

vs

the dedication to their wallet remains paramount, with officers keeping vigilant not to miss any backhander opportunity

[NedR69]

I've never seen long immigration lines in Suvarnabhumi, either arriving or stamping out, except during early quarantine days.  IME, it's always the check-in with the airline that is slow.  But that experience was when I flew Qatar flying west.  Going in the other direction, Korean has a lot fewer bottom feeders, and the check-in and inflight experience is better.

[Pompeygeezer]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

Came through couple times this year and despite long lines it was pretty quick and polite. Peak season another matter I guess. Just let the Chinese walk right in… as we all know they’re squeaky clean. 🙂

Polite!!!  

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, Edwin Cameron said:

Hopefully they keep the 'Immigration chanels' for the elderly travellers,they shouldn't have to wait in a queu.

They don't have to. Over 70s can come through the Thai passport channels and now they have the auto gates there is very few at the kiosks. When I came back a fortnight ago only one in front of me.

Going out was even quicker, straight through an auto gate.

[sandyf]

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

Thai authorities and IT.....makes me shiver!

Indeed, regular disruptions similar to Heathrow could be the way forward here.

[Cuchulainn]

Abolish the draconian 90 day reporting nonsense and send the 90 day staff at CW to help at the airport.

 

Or is that too sensible?🤣