The Immigration Bureau (IB) is introducing advanced technology, including the Thailand Immigration System (TIS), to streamline passenger processing at Suvarnabhumi airport while ensuring robust national security. The initiative aligns with the airport’s strategic role as a regional aviation hub, particularly amid rising passenger volumes.
Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, emphasized the importance of balancing speed and security in immigration services at Thailand’s five major international airports. In an interview, he revealed that the TIS, currently under development, is central to achieving this goal.
Addressing Increased Passenger Traffic
Suvarnabhumi airport, handling an average of 120,000 passengers daily, is expected to see a surge to 135,000 passengers during the upcoming high season. With the aim of processing travelers efficiently, the IB has revised procedures, reducing the time per passenger to 45 seconds. Recent measures include integrating flight data directly into systems, removing redundant steps like signing entry stamps, and exempting Thai passengers from face scans and fingerprinting.
Zone management strategies have also been introduced, distributing passengers across three immigration zones to prevent congestion. The IB plans to recruit 300–500 additional officers and further expand facilities to address growing demand, although officials acknowledge that technology upgrades are equally crucial.
Enhanced Security Measures
Despite prioritizing speed, the IB remains focused on national security. The Advanced Passenger Processing System (APPS) alerts officers to individuals with active arrest warrants or suspicious credentials. Transnational crime, including the use of forged or purchased passports, is a key concern. Approximately 7,000 individuals on a blacklist, including those linked to call center scams, have been denied entry.
Pol Maj Gen Choengron highlighted the challenges posed by criminal networks disguising their identities, which requires vigilant inspection by immigration officers.
Upcoming Innovations
The Thailand Immigration System is set to launch within two years, incorporating artificial intelligence to enhance both service efficiency and security. A pre-registration platform is also in development, enabling foreign travelers to use automated passport screening channels upon arrival. Inspired by Singapore’s Changi Airport, Suvarnabhumi is looking to implement similar automated systems to manage increasing passenger numbers effectively.
Pol Maj Gen Choengron, with over a decade of experience in immigration services, likened the role of the bureau to that of a gatekeeper, ensuring that those entering the country do so swiftly but with proper scrutiny.
The commander’s proactive approach, such as responding to congestion during an unannounced visit by a former prime minister, has earned the bureau additional resources to implement these improvements.