A viral social media post has triggered widespread criticism of operations at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after foreign passengers were reportedly left waiting between three and four hours at immigration. The post, published on July 11, showed video of immigration queues stretching for what the author claimed was around one kilometre, prompting fresh debate over the airport’s passenger management and ambitions to become a regional aviation hub.

Get today's headlines by email

The Facebook user sarcastically praised Airports of Thailand (AOT), writing that Suvarnabhumi had achieved the “longest queue in the world” and joking that if Skytrax or Guinness World Records recognised such a category, the airport would win ahead of Changi, Doha and Narita. The author added that they were fortunate to be a Thai citizen because they were able to pass through immigration quickly, while foreign travellers were left waiting for hours.

After the post attracted significant attention online, the author updated it with what they described as a more serious explanation of the issues. They rejected claims that long queues were simply the result of stricter immigration screening, arguing that leading international airports maintain high security standards while processing passengers efficiently through modern technology. According to the post, lengthy queues reflected shortcomings in passenger throughput rather than stronger security.

Picture courtesy of Manager Online

The author also disputed suggestions that responsibility lay solely with the Immigration Bureau. They acknowledged that immigration officers may have been insufficient in number to keep all counters open but argued that AOT had also failed in managing passenger flow and available space. The post claimed queues overflowed into main walkways, blocking access to priority lanes and Thai passport channels, and stated that even Business and First Class passengers could not easily reach fast-track entrances because of congestion.

The post further rejected arguments that the delays were unavoidable because several flights arrived during peak periods. The author said airports have access to flight schedules well in advance and should plan staffing levels accordingly to prevent bottlenecks. They argued that professional airport management should anticipate busy periods rather than ask passengers to accept extended waiting times.

The Manager Online reported that the criticism concluded by stating that the comments were intended to encourage improvements rather than criticise Thailand itself. The author said experience travelling through other international airports demonstrated that better operational standards were achievable and argued that if Thailand wished to strengthen its position as an aviation hub and attract higher-quality visitors, back-end systems would need to meet international standards.

Join the discussion?

13 July 2026

View full article

Thailand is known for its long queues and waiting time at the airport. But besides TDAC everybody must have fingerprint scan and facepic and boarding pass. I don't see that in other airports. With the coming 300 THB it will give much more irritation for travellers, as nobody will understand what the money is for. The first impression of Thailand is not a good one

27 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand is known for its long queues and waiting time at the airport. But besides TDAC everybody must have fingerprint scan and facepic and boarding pass. I don't see that in other airports. With the coming 300 THB it will give much more irritation for travellers, as nobody will understand what the money is for. The first impression of Thailand is not a good one

You don't travel much. Fingerprint scanning and facial photos are pretty much in every airport in the world now.

Why don't they just use the automated machines for arrivals ?

7 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Why don't they just use the automated machines for arrivals ?

I love passing through Singapore. It’s a model of efficiency.

I travel enough, but at no other airport I see long waiting times to pass immigration.. Longest I had to wait was 10 minutes in all my travels except here in Thailand. There should be counters for visaholders and reentries, and for elderly and disabled.. The priority lines could be used for that, but we are not allowed. These lines are often empty.

36 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

With the coming 300 THB it will give much more irritation for travellers, as nobody will understand what the money is for. The first impression of Thailand is not a good one

We know what the money is for.

New Mercedes Benz.

New BMW.

It will be a huge amount of money for the powers to be to get there snout into.

and divert some of it, into there own pockets.

T.I.T.

Edited July 12Jul 12 by rocketboy2

This doesn't affect me as I've no intentions of leaving Thailand so I won't be returning.

But they keep telling us all this hi-tech Ai nonsense is going to speed things up...

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

I travel enough, but at no other airport I see long waiting times to pass immigration.. Longest I had to wait was 10 minutes in all my travels except here in Thailand. There should be counters for visaholders and reentries, and for elderly and disabled.. The priority lines could be used for that, but we are not allowed. These lines are often empty.

Travel& Transportation

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

"elderly and disabled." These are available....on the far right hand side going up the ramp to Immigration. Over 65s...and disabled

Where are the fast track business class lines. I fly business class to china every month and ive beem told by immigration staff there is no fast track service for business class and I have to stand in the long lines. Departing there is fast track, but I have yet to see fast track for entering thailand.

Over 70 for priority lane, not 65

Horribly understaffed. No support staff present at all when I came in 3 nights ago. Immigration in general a disaster here.

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

You don't travel much. Fingerprint scanning and facial photos are pretty much in every airport in the world now.

Why don't they just use the automated machines for arrivals ?

Not all airports. Australia and Malaysia for example favour the facial recognition methods (photos) via the e-gates for a number of nationalities. The e-gates are great but having them here for arrivals equals less staff which equals less budget and less status for the boss. They will be embarrassed into it eventually.

15 minutes ago, Dakhar said:

Where are the fast track business class lines. I fly business class to china every month and ive beem told by immigration staff there is no fast track service for business class and I have to stand in the long lines. Departing there is fast track, but I have yet to see fast track for entering thailand.

Fast tracks for business class are now not readily available in the world... in Thailand its in the normal immigration counter - at separate counters only.

But all major airports now have queues stretching from Hours - was in Brussels - 2 hours, I heard in Paris - 3 hours.

It will very interesting how TAT will spin this?

They are always saying we have more and more tourists and we want more a more tourists?

One look at that mess and it will put people off!

So they claim tourism has hit an all time low yet these queues keep getting longer and longer? How can that NOT be the fault of immigration?

If waiting for an hour to start your vacation in Thailand is the biggest problem in your life, you need to calm down and breathe and appreciate your privilege.

90% of the people in the world can't afford to vacation in Thailand, FULL STOP. 😃

So if you schedule an appointment for transport 2 hours after arrival and have to wait 3 or 4 hours, pay for the missed appointment. Rebook and pay for originally scheduled transportation

We can seek reimbursement for these Fees from the "Airport Operations Department" or other entity.

How I understand the Airport works.

They have normally scheduled flights.

At check in Data is sent to Thailand Immigration for processing and review.

"Airport Operations are a Separate entity" from Immigration, and Baggage Services.

Weather, the War, airspace diversions can all add up to flights Overwhelming ground operations (Immigration, ,Gate Services, Baggage Handling) ATC controllers have to Land the Planes. (Limited Fuel) and are rarely overwhelmed.

My Opinion. If the Airport is going to "Allow" gates to be reserved long term, airlines to reserve a spot and Airlines pay for some services.

It is the responsibility of the Airport, Immigration, and countries Politics to be Professional, Efficient, Organized, and use proven, tested process for reasonable processing of passengers.

This has been reported in "Low Season" for past 2 weeks, by individuals, supported by evidence, photos, and made the News.

# (If this is acceptable then Local Thais and Foreigners should ALL be waiting similar times for Processing) #

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

You don't travel much. Fingerprint scanning and facial photos are pretty much in every airport in the world now.

Why don't they just use the automated machines for arrivals ?

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

You don't travel much. Fingerprint scanning and facial photos are pretty much in every airport in the world now.

Why don't they just use the automated machines for arrivals ?

That ‘ikke’ is talking against his better judgement – after all, in his own country, the airport is a far bigger mess, but he’d rather not talk about that.

2 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

If waiting for an hour.

No traveler, or social media post was about 1 hour processing time

Something has changed in past 2, 3,4 weeks. It's a Secret, Security issue, or lack of proper staffing.

Travelers just want Reasonable processing times. 2 Hours or Less

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Why don't they just use the automated machines for arrivals ?

I've read that they are for Thai people only. Foreigners not allowed to use them. Now, there's a surprise!

2 hours ago, temuFarang said:

I love passing through Singapore. It’s a model of efficiency.

Hong Kong too. Maybe self prescan passports and assign a queue? They know who they are looking for. They also know who has firm plans to leave in a few days.

53 minutes ago, Dakhar said:

Where are the fast track business class lines. I fly business class to china every month and ive beem told by immigration staff there is no fast track service for business class and I have to stand in the long lines. Departing there is fast track, but I have yet to see fast track for entering thailand.

Last time I was there it was between the two immigration areas.

In my experience it is not only in Thailand that things are getting more complicated and much slower at airports. It appears to be happening almost everywhere.

13 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

If waiting for an hour to start your vacation in Thailand is the biggest problem in your life, you need to calm down and breathe and appreciate your privilege.

90% of the people in the world can't afford to vacation in Thailand, FULL STOP. 😃

1 - no-one has written that the wait is the biggest problem in their life. You made that up.
2 - I think you miss the point of the report, which highlights gross inefficiences.

3 - '90% of the people in the world can't afford to vacation in Thailand'. Something else you've made up, unless you have figures to support it.

2 hours ago, temuFarang said:

I love passing through Singapore. It’s a model of efficiency.

when arriving in phnompenh, no waiting ,automatic gate w cam and fingerprint

at arrival and departure.

never before in 20 years even waited more than 5 minutes

..and thai so far better than everybody in ( thinking they are)

i dont like bkk airport , in the last 10 years i not see lines like this in any airport ,ok adis ababa was same ..but thats africa

3 hours ago, Rams86 said:

This doesn't affect me as I've no intentions of leaving Thailand so I won't be returning.

Same with me. However, this is not all about me.

Flying in next week and dreading facing long queues after a long flight. What's the word on using the Thai lanes with the Thai Mrs? I have heard people talk of doing this in the past but have never actually done it myself. Is this still possible?

3 hours ago, rocketboy2 said:

We know what the money is for.

New Mercedes Benz.

New BMW.

It will be a huge amount of money for the powers to be to get there snout into.

and divert some of it, into there own pockets.

T.I.T.

No, the money is to cover the cost of stupid foreigners that travel to Thailand and end up in hospital without an insurance.

E gates are fast becoming standard all around the world.

Even India now has e gates for foreign passports albeit with a once only cumbersome registration process.

What is the roll out timetable for Thailand