Complaints about long lines of passengers queuing in Departures and Arrivals halls in both airports have been posted up on social media over the past couple of weeks. At Don Mueang the weekend before last, arriving passengers claimed they had to queue for over four hours before immigration officers stamped their passports.
Immigration Bureau commander Sitthichai Lokanpai inspected the newly manned checkpoint desks at Don Mueang on Saturday. According to media sources in Bangkok, he told the officers it was just as important to smile and be pleasant as it was to process passengers.
Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi are the two busiest airports in Thailand. They jointly deal with an average of 80 million passengers annually. 12GO ASIA notes that long queues at the airports are expected to be a short-term issue as the Immigration Bureau has already announced a recruitment drive.
Thai Immigration Bureau increases staffing at Bangkok airports
News in Asia
The Immigration Department of Thailand has draughted in 200 extra officers to help out at Bangkok’s two airports. A department spokesperson says the additional officers should help cut queuing times for passengers at Don Mueang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport.