Thailand's Immigration Launches Automated Passport Control

 Thailand’s Immigration Bureau responds to Prime Minister Setha Thavisin’s directive with the launch of an automated passport control system at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Learn how this initiative aims to enhance tourism convenience and expedite the departure process for outbound passengers.

Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is set to usher in a new era of convenience for travelers, with the Immigration Bureau unveiling plans for an automated passport control system. In response to Prime Minister Setha Thavisin‘s policy directive, this forward-looking initiative is poised to streamline departure processes, reduce congestion at departure gates, and enhance the overall experience for both inbound and outbound passengers.

On November 14th, Police Lieutenant General Chengron Rimphadee, head of Immigration Bureau 2, provided insights into the development progress of the Automated Channel at Suvarnabhumi Airport, as reported by Daily News. The strategic goal is to ensure smoother outbound passenger checks, optimizing the use of technology to expedite the departure process.

The primary objective of this endeavor is to significantly reduce waiting times at immigration counters while maintaining robust security measures. By automating outbound passenger checks, immigration staff will be able to reallocate their focus to inbound checks, further bolstering national security.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Setha Thavisin, the Immigration Office has been entrusted with enhancing the existing system and introducing the Automated Channel at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This pivotal system upgrade is designed to benefit not only Thai passport holders but also foreign travelers, aligning with the government’s commitment to improving tourism convenience.

One of the notable highlights of this initiative is the accessibility of the Automated Channel to foreign nationals, marking a significant shift in convenience and efficiency. To meet the ambitious December 15th deadline, the Immigration Bureau is diligently working on system upgrades and procedural adjustments in preparation for the upcoming New Year festivities.

Lieutenant General Chengron Rimphadee emphasized that the expansion of the Automated Channel for foreign nationals will effectively double the airport’s capacity to handle outbound passengers. The anticipated capacity increase, from 5,000 to approximately 12,000 passengers per hour, is a testament to the transformative power of automation in the travel industry.

As part of the ongoing developments, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) is set to procure new Automated Channel systems. These state-of-the-art systems will replace the aging 12-year-old machines at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports. At Suvarnabhumi, the installation will feature 40 new machines for international departures, a significant upgrade from the current 16. Furthermore, Don Mueang Airport will also witness replacements for both inbound and outbound channels, promising modernity, accuracy, and efficiency.

Lieutenant General Chengron Rimphadee concluded by underscoring the importance of manual checks for international arrivals, ensuring robust national security measures. The planned installation of additional Automated Channel machines for departures will not only expedite the process but also allow for increased staffing at inbound passport control, catering to the surges in passenger traffic during peak travel periods.

The introduction of automated passport control at Suvarnabhumi Airport is a significant milestone in Thailand’s commitment to providing a seamless and secure travel experience. As the December 15th deadline approaches, travelers can look forward to quicker and more efficient departures, making Thailand an even more attractive destination for visitors from around the world. [Asean Now]

TAT promotes Thailand on London bus

Tourism officials launched a new campaign promoting sunny Thailand in cloudy London as winter approaches. A London double-decker bus now has the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s “amazing THAILAND” logo written across it in pink.

Beneath the logo are images of boats in the sea, with the hashtags #AmazingThailand and #AlwaysWarm, as seen in photos by Pattaya Mail. TAT’s new advertisement promotes Thailand’s eastern province of Rayong, as well as Pak Meng Island in Trang province.

TAT is in the midst of launching several new campaigns to draw tourists to the Land of Smiles. Earlier this month, TAT revealed a deal to bring more tourists to the kingdom from the United States and boost the nation’s ailing economy.

TAT is also planning several campaigns focused on Chiang Mai, hoping to draw visitors to the world-renowned province during the High Season from November to March. The campaigns promote Chiang Mai’s craftsmanship, eateries, temples, and the historic Lanna Kingdom.

TAT is now set to surpass its target of 10 million tourists by the end of the year thanks to an influx of Malaysian and Indian visitors. Thailand has welcomed over 1 million tourists from Malaysia and almost 600,000 tourists from India so far in 2022. Last week, nearly 50,000 foreign tourists arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in one day.

TAT is estimating 18 million international arrivals next year.

We’ll have to wait and see if TAT’s bus campaign in London pays off and if TAT manages to draw more British tourists.

Source - The Thaiger

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More than 57,000 passengers arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday

 Thailand - More than 57,000 international passengers arrived at the Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday, confirmed by Immigration Officers.
Immigration Bureau Spokeman Major Geneneral Choengron Rimphadee confirmed yesterday (November 10th) that there were about 25 international flights arriving at the Suvarnabhumi Airport with about 57,000 passengers. Of those 49,000 were foreigners.

This is approaching the same average numbers before Covid-19 which was approximately 60,000 people a day. During this time there are up to 3,000 passengers arriving at the airport per hour. Immigration Officers can check their passports at 3,500 people in half an hour. Immigration stated that they can still manage with no passengers needing to wait outside the main Immigration area.

TPN notes, however, that many complaints have surfaced online from tourists arriving stating that they personally found the arrival process hectic and crowded, depending on the time of day of arrival.

Immigration, however, has blamed most of the issues on airlines or language and communication issues with tourists from some countries and not their own staffing or processing.

Source - Pattaya News

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Emirates A380 to return to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to meet increased demand

The A380 is to return to the skies over Bangkok as Emirates upgrades capacity on flights to the capital to meet increased demand. TTR Weekly reports that Thailand’s recent re-opening to vaccinated tourists from approved countries has led to strong demand, with around 10,000 arrivals registered at Suvarnabhumi every day.

In order to add capacity and frequency to its services, Emirates is bringing back the Airbus A380, which will operate daily from November 28. Flight EK372 will depart Dubai at 09.30, touching down in Bangkok at 18.40. The return flight, EK373, will depart Bangkok at 20.35, arriving in Dubai at 00.50 the following morning.

The A380 service is in addition to Emirates’ other daily service to Bangkok on a Boeing 777 aircraft, as well as 5 weekly flights to the capital via Phuket. It’s understood the carrier will increase the frequency of these flights from December. The increase in frequency and capacity is to meet demand from travellers in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The increase in services means Emirates will be offering over 8,600 additional seats a week, which could increase further, subject to demand.

On November 1, Thailand re-opened with minimal quarantine for vaccinated travellers from 63 approved countries. Passengers still need to take a PCR test within 72 hours of travel, and again on arrival, but only have to stay at a SHA-accredited hotel until they receive a negative test result.

As global travel tentatively resumes, Emirates is re-introducing its flagship A380 aircraft on an increasing number of routes. According to TTR Weekly, the aircraft currently serves 25 cities in 6 continents. That number is expected to increase to 28 cities by the end of the year, as travel demand continues to rise.

Sourse - The Thaiger

Thailand Pass helps streamline international arrivals

BANGKOK (NNT) - The new travel document submission system known as “Thailand Pass” now being rolled out is helping to better facilitate international arrivals. This online-based system will be replacing the Certificate of Entry from next week.

Mr. Anucha Nakasai, the Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, today inspected the processing of international arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Introduced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to better and quicker process international visitors, Thailand Pass replaces the Certificate of Entry visitors were required to apply at a Thai Embassy or consulate in their country of origin.

The new online-based system allows visitors to upload their required documents with step-by-step explanations to obtain their QR-code equipped pass, which they need to present when entering Thailand.

Mr. Anucha said this new system comes with safeguard measures including data encryption to protect personal information, in accordance with international standards.

He said some issues have been noticed at the early stage of the rollout, but they have already been addressed.

So far, around 10,000 Thailand Pass applications have been submitted, with the entry pass having already been issued for some 4,000 travelers.

Travelers with a valid Certificate of Entry will be able to enter the kingdom during this period. However, the Thailand Pass system will entirely replace the Certificate of Entry in the next 7 days.

Applicable to both Thai and foreign nationals, Thailand Pass is a document required for all international air arrivals.

Source -ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS 

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#Thailand and Big Joke roll out the red carpet for VIP tourists: they mean the Chinese

A special lane at Suvarnabhumi airport has been inaugurated - it is for the ease and convenience of Chinese visitors. 

 Thailand's poster boy top cop Maj Gen "Big Joke" Surachet Hakpal - deputy commissioner of the tourist police - and Pol Maj Gen Pritthipong Prayoonsiri at Region 2 immigration have shaken hands on the deal that provided the new lane.

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 Both major generals were at Suvarnabhumi yesterday evening for a PR exercise assuring Chinese media that everything was all well and good in Thailand for their nationals.

The TPB website said that Thailand did not want to be seen as taking advantage of the Chinese.

They said VIP measures were already in place to give them every assistance from the plane to their waiting transport outside the airport.

They said they were looking at short term and long term answers to problems faced by Chinese tourists.

 Though they did not mention if this was in response to bad press after the boat accident in Phuket recently that saw many Chinese cancel their holidays.

Thaivisa notes that the accident claimed many lives and has had the Thai authorities scurrying to repair the damage. Many will see the latest gesture as part of that and ask the question:

"What about other nationalities?"

Source - TheNation

#Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi Standoff: Airport claps back after being called ninth worst

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Since being rated the ninth worst airport in the world last week in a report by the website airhelp.com, Suvarnabhumi has released a statement calling into question the survey, its data-collection methods, and their low score.  

In a Thai statement published on its Facebook page, Suvarnabhumi Airport called the survey unreliable and its methods unscientific.

The airhelp report, released last Monday, said that it took into consideration reviews from passengers regarding customer service, security, comfort, check-in, user experience, and quality of facilities at 76 airports around the world. Suvarnabhumi International Airport was rated 68, scoring just 6.3 points out of a possible 10. 

 

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The Bangkok airport said that, while they are open to criticism and suggestions for improvement, they never provided any info to airhelp and have a much higher rating on the better-known site FlightStat, which tracks flight data and airports. 

They also accused airhelp of only taking into account reviews written in English while the majority of reviews for the Bangkok airport are written in Thai.

Below is a translation of the statement released by the airport about the recent ranking:
Suvarnabhumi Airport will take comments from the passengers or the organizations who conducted the survey into consideration, as Suvarnabhumi views that this information is greatly beneficial to the management of the airport. We know that this information reflects the thoughts of the passengers. 

The ranking on airhelp.com was conducted for the first time this year, claiming that the survey was conducted between Dec. 2016 – March 2017 from sources that have no standards. Regarding the rankings for on-time performance, quality and service, and passenger sentiment categories, the survey does not declare the merits and demerits of the airports ranked in the list.
They address each ratings category individually:

1. On-time Performance
www.airhelp.com does not clearly state their source for the ranking. Suvarnabhumi insists that it has not provided any information regarding its performance to this website.
However, Flight Stats, an organization collecting real-time information on air traffic, ranks Suvarnabhumi at 13th place in the category of Global Hub Performance in May 2017.

2. Quality and Service
Airhelp.com stated that it sourced the information from SKYTRAX star ratings collected between Dec. 22, 2016 – March 20, 2017. There is no evidence that SKYTRAX confirms the correctness of the information for Airhelp.
The Airport Council International ranked Suvarnabhumi as the 10th best airport in the world last year.

3. Passenger Sentiment.
Airhelp.com stated that it sourced from Twitter. We found that Airhelp only conducts their ranking from English-language tweets and its own tools.
Suvarnabhumi Airport welcomes the results of all surveys if these surveys are from reliable or well-known organizations such as the Airport Council International, which ranked Suvarnabhumi 10th best airport in the world.

Probably worth pointing out here that the Airport Council International is a lobbying group for airports.

Source - Coconuts.co