Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

In a coordinated effort, the Immigration Bureau and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are enhancing security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of tourists during the Christmas and New Year 2026 period. On December 22, 2025, key officials, including Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonlaksum and Mr. Tosapol Wannasuphaphol, oversaw the deployment of immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport to facilitate smooth immigration procedures over the festive period.

 

To create a welcoming atmosphere, arriving tourists were greeted with "Amazing Bag" souvenirs filled with traditional Thai gifts. Over 200 immigration officers have been mobilised to manage passengers' arrivals efficiently. The immigration plan aims to balance national security with travel convenience, covering the period from December 20, 2025, to January 5, 2026, across major airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee mentioned that to manage the expected surge of more than 166,000 daily passengers, all inspection lanes will be fully staffed during peak hours to ensure a swift immigration process. Officers will refrain from taking leave to maintain continuous service. Collaborative efforts with other agencies will prioritise passenger safety and convenience, indicating a commitment to providing a secure and pleasant experience for tourists.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas emphasised that during this high-traffic season, special measures are crucial for safeguarding tourists, highlighting the importance placed by the Royal Thai Police under Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet. Immigration officers are equipped and ready to meet the increased demand, reinforcing Thailand's reputation as a secure and hospitable destination, reported Siam Rath.

 

Key Takeaways:

Thailand is enhancing airport security for Christmas and New Year 2026.
Over 200 officers will manage arrival procedures at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Plans aim to handle over 166,000 passengers per day during the festive period.

 

Related Stories:

Streamlined Immigration Procedures Implemented at Suvarnabhumi Airport for New Year's Season

New Automated Passport Control Enhances Suvarnabhumi Airport Experience

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siam Rath 2025-12-23

 

 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

To create a welcoming atmosphere, arriving tourists were greeted with "Amazing Bag" souvenirs filled with traditional Thai gifts.

Every officer will also have one of these   🙂 .....................

6 hours ago, webfact said:

with "Amazing Bag" souvenirs filled with traditional Thai gifts

 

I wonder if one of the gifts will be one of those erect phallus things people seem to worship. 

Instead of this nonsense they should improve queues and abolish their archaic red tape at immigration HQ.

I feel so much safer...

Obviously security is the same as a puppy here, just for Christmas.

On 12/23/2025 at 6:50 AM, webfact said:

In a coordinated effort, the Immigration Bureau and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are enhancing security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of tourists during the Christmas and New Year 2026 period. On December 22, 2025, key officials, including Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonlaksum and Mr. Tosapol Wannasuphaphol, oversaw the deployment of immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport to facilitate smooth immigration procedures over the festive period.

Why not all year round?

Well, they sure know how to stand at attention...

except for front row, 3rd left, did not get the memo on correct footwear, throws the whole picture...

show up in flip-flops next time to confirm your rebel spirit

On 12/23/2025 at 6:50 AM, webfact said:

enhancing security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of tourists during the Christmas and New Year 2026 period

and then there is the next news item:

Quote

Drunk Driving Persists

 

I have never seen queues longer at Chiang Mai immigration (outbound) last night. Stretching right down the top floor, almost as far as McDonalds. 

I, for one, always fancied tooting a party blower at the arrivals lounge when incoming, just seems to me to be a fab way to start the next round of dodging begpackers, russians, topless germans, chinese pushers & spitters, pedestrians more interested in their phones than in collisions with the general populace, saudi shirt salesmen, tuk tuk racketeers, paedos, privileged aggressive drunks of all persuasions and the smell of ganja wafting down every highway, byway and alley. 

 

"The human condition can be summed up in just one word, and this is the word: Embarrassment." Kilgore Trout

11 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Well, they sure know how to stand at attention...

except for front row, 3rd left, did not get the memo on correct footwear, throws the whole picture...

show up in flip-flops next time to confirm your rebel spirit

He is undercover.

21 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

 

I wonder if one of the gifts will be one of those erect phallus things people seem to worship. 

Everybody gets a woody

3 hours ago, Xonax said:

Why not all year round?

Miracles take longer

3 hours ago, thenewgoo said:

I have never seen queues longer at Chiang Mai immigration (outbound) last night. Stretching right down the top floor, almost as far as McDonalds. 

I came back from Singapore on 20th and Phuket immigration had horrendous queues. Fortunately I was with my Thai daughter and so we could use the Thai lane where there was no queue at all…..but 3 manned desks

Charming. 

Hmmm. Anybody remember this?  

 

Why do Thais love these stupid, staged at-attention photos?

On 12/23/2025 at 6:50 AM, webfact said:

Over 200 immigration officers have been mobilised to manage passengers' arrivals efficiently.

So where are these 200 plus officers the rest of the year ?

Always count on immigration to ensure our safety and well-being. Welcome. We need you. Thanks so much for coming. We truly adore foreigners! 

And what about the rest of the year? Back to normal chaos and grumpy I.O.s and Rules and Regs changed every week to confuse everybody, and make life difficult??

6 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

Well, they sure know how to stand at attention...

except for front row, 3rd left, did not get the memo on correct footwear, throws the whole picture...

show up in flip-flops next time to confirm your rebel spirit

 

Late on parade, and casually dressed! He'll be painting stones white tomorrow!

7 hours ago, Xonax said:

Why not all year round?

for the rest of the year they are busy  with "crackdowns"  which is actually what this is 

1 hour ago, oldestswinger said:

Why do Thais love these stupid, staged at-attention photos?

its expected of the "uniformed" community

On 12/23/2025 at 1:42 PM, flaming dragon said:

 

I wonder if one of the gifts will be one of those erect phallus things people seem to worship. 

i'm guessing one of those menthol inhaler things, and a bottle of  M150 and probably some disgusting Thai cake

200 officers to process 166000 pax per day = 6916 per hour, so each and every officer will have to do 34,58 pax per hour, 24 hours per day to reach that number. 

Efficient staffing helps, but clearer public communication of immigration rules would improve the experience even more. Clear signage, advance guidance, and allowing eligible non-Thai visitors to use automated gates would significantly reduce congestion and confusion during peak periods.

22 hours ago, NE1 said:

So where are these 200 plus officers the rest of the year ?

In the counting house

15 hours ago, OmoElGigante said:

Efficient staffing helps, but clearer public communication of immigration rules would improve the experience even more. Clear signage, advance guidance, and allowing eligible non-Thai visitors to use automated gates would significantly reduce congestion and confusion during peak periods.

The automated gates are already available for non-Thais on departure. They have issues with trust so they can't allow them on arrival, I guess.

On 12/23/2025 at 6:50 AM, webfact said:

Over 200 officers will manage arrival procedures at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

If they are all these officers, why are most at times, about half or less of the immigration desks/booths are empty.

Ok they are shift patterns, brakes etc. .

If more desks were manned, it would solve most of the problem.

And when are they going to get self-check-ins, like at departure?