Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday revealed the upcoming plan to overhaul the immigration system after an unannounced inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport and the immigration office on Monday morning.
As the government plans to announce the airport upgrade nationwide in early March, the immigration system and various procedures at the airports are crucial, the prime minister said.
He expressed the need to get the first-hand experience rather than just relying on reports. Instead of calling it a problem, he sees it as an opportunity for significant improvements in various aspects.
He acknowledged issues such as disjointed IT systems, instability in the backup systems, and inadequate staffing in immigration checks. He also addressed problems faced by passengers, including delays due to the large number of people entering and exiting.
Regarding the collapsing immigration check system, the Prime Minister admitted that it is a technical issue. The backup system is not efficient, and when the number of people entering increases, the system becomes sluggish. While the normal Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for processing an individual is 45 seconds, the current situation, with all stations occupied, results in more than a minute per person, causing further delays.
He anticipates that it will take approximately 12 months to resolve all these issues.
When asked about the influx of tourists and whether there would be additional problems, the prime minister mentioned that the current number of tourists is comparable to the pre-COVID period. Effective management is crucial, and KPIs are set to ensure that tourists entering do not spend more than 30 minutes in the passport stamping queue.
Addressing the delayed baggage issue, he said that while improvements have been made, efforts will continue to enhance the system. He plans to inspect the baggage conveyor system further. Regarding the insufficient number of immigration police officers, a meeting will be called in the afternoon today to discuss the matter, with the Commissioner of the Immigration Police in attendance. (TNA)
