No More Pic Taking At Immigration Booths ?

[Krub]

I have not been photographed the last 2-3 times I have passed through the airport in the last month or so.

I have a one year retirement extension with a multi re-entry maybe this 'helps' ?

[dekka007]

How do you know? The cameras are still on the counters so maybe they just have not asked you to look in the camera general direction. They are motorised.

They were photographing everyone 2 days ago.

Edited November 1, 2008 by dekka007

[tartempion]

Came in last week and farang next counter was not standing on the spot for the pic, she was summoned to move her feet to the right spot, the immigration officer pointed her to the camera also.

[Kerryd]

I've noticed that they are still taking pics, but aren't as "picky" about telling you to stand here, look there, etc.

I think they take the pic while you are standing there unaware, as long as you are close enough to the mark to get a good image.

[Jai Dee]

I've noticed that they are still taking pics, but aren't as "picky" about telling you to stand here, look there, etc.

I think they take the pic while you are standing there unaware, as long as you are close enough to the mark to get a good image.

True... if you get a chance to stand behind one of the immigration officials at his/her desk (as I did whilst waiting for my wife last week as we went through the Thai lane) you will find that the camera actually has a very wide angle lens.

[Briggsy]

Came through last week. I was told to raise my eyes to look in to the camera so they're still operating.

[Pib]

When I last entered Thailand in early October I noticed the same thing. As I stood in line for about 30 minutes I didn't see any of the immigration officers for any of the lines I could see ask any people to reposition themselves for a picture which I use to see occur all the time. Either they were not taking pictures that day or are now using wide angle/moveable shots with the same camera system they have had since opening.

[Familyonthemove]

Came through last night and was 'ordered' to stand on the spot and look at the camera in a very abrupt way ..... but the previous couple of times they were not so concerned. Maybe they've just reinforced the routine after a lapse?

[Pib]

Hard telling why they seem to stop and then start again taking photos. It could be their photo system goes down sometimes and during those times they make no effort to fake its operation.

[geriatrickid]

Couple trips to Swampy in past two weeks. No one asked me to pose. But I still stood in designated spot like a good boy, so maybe no need to tell me to pose.

[Kerryd]

Just went through Swampy last night, and I noticed (as I had done before), that even though they don't seem to pay much attention to you, if you watch the lens of the camera, you can see it move around slightly. Up/Down, Left/Right. I made sure I was standing correctly, and pretended to be reading the signs behind the desk, and sure enough, I could see the lens make some small movements as the officer looked at his monitor.

So they are still using it, but perhaps a little more discretely than before.

[LivinLOS]

Recently came in via Phuket and wasnt photos (I think) stood off to one side and past the camera wasnt told to come back into its view..

should also not that when our small plane came in and there wasnt a single customs / immigration guy there.. We had to shout and hollar for a few mins and one finally woke up and came out with his hair all askew..

[Briggsy]

Recently came in via Phuket and wasnt photos (I think) stood off to one side and past the camera wasnt told to come back into its view..

should also not that when our small plane came in and there wasnt a single customs / immigration guy there.. We had to shout and hollar for a few mins and one finally woke up and came out with his hair all askew..

And what do you think he had been up to?

Edited November 15, 2008 by Briggsy

[torrenova]

Asleep, what else, this is Thailand

[zen0]

I'm guessing if one is already on file from previous trips they are not that concerned with an updated photo so a shot with you not looking at the cam would suffice. I just went through imm last week and wasn't told to look at the cam nor did they ask me the last time i went through about 5 months ago. But then again i assume due diligence is key, follow the instructions and stand on the feet and all will be ok

[Cuban]

Some time ago I had the pleasure of having to wait a while on the business side of one of these booths while the person I was travelling with was being messed around by the check-in staff. If you (your passport) is in the system already - earlier pictures from these camera's are displayed on the officer's monitor. I would guess that the officer makes a judgement call if the existing (last) image on file is good enough or close enough to your current likness to bother getting a full face close up detail image, for the record. Or just enough to see that you are the same person - passport holder.